04 February,2009 11:36 AM IST | | Debasish Datta
The Indian cricket team was in a euphoric mood after taking an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match ODI series against Sri Lanka last night. But mention the name Gamini Silva o the umpiring decisions against Sachin Tendulkar in this series and the team frown if not deliver a sharp word.
Lankan umpire Silva was responsible for Sachin Tendulkar's third poor decision in the series at the R Premadasa Stadium yesterday. Tendulkar has yet to reach double figures in the series.
It can be recalled that Tendulkar has had to cope with bad decisions given by West Indian umpire Steve Bucknor amongst others in his 20-year international career. It is learnt a livid Tendulkar wanted to know from team manager Prakash Dixit whether any other player had been at the receiving end of so many poor decisions throughout his career.
Manager Dixit landed up at the press box to ask journalists whether there exists such a list. The answer was no. Man of the match Yuvraj Singh's heart went out to his senior batting colleague. "It's unfortunate. We don't know how to fight this," he told MiD DAY after the presentation.
Skipper Dhoni resisted from commenting on Silva's poor umpiring in the fear of getting banned since players are not allowed to comment on umpiring.
But one thing for sure: Silva will get zero marks in the captain's report. The team members are now hoping that International Cricket Council match referee Chris Broad will take note of Silva's performance and place it on record in his report to the ICC.
Silva has become so notorious amongst members of Dhoni's team that they have been telling each other to beware while batting at the Gamini end. In short, don't use your pads when Silva is officiating.
