Ranji Trophy: Shubman Gill argues with umpire, match vs Delhi halted for 10 mins

Gill was embroiled in a controversy when he got his dismissal overturned after arguing with the on-field umpire during Punjab’s Ranji encounter against Delhi.

Shubman Gill refused to leave the crease after he was adjudged caught-behind by slow-medium bowler Subodh Bhati.

Shubman Gill is just about digging his teeth into first-class cricket. Having got the taste of ODI cricket after some match-winning knocks in Indian Premier League last year, the 20-year-old is promising more.

But on Friday, Gill appeared to have bitten more than he could chew. He became the centre of some unwanted attention after a heated altercation with an umpire on the first day of the Punjab-Delhi Ranji Trophy match here.

On being given ‘out’, two ODI-old Gill questioned umpire Mohammad Rafi’s decision. When the intimidated umpire, in consultation with his colleague Pashchim Pathak, overturned the decision, Delhi’s skipper Dhruv Shorey almost led the team out off the field in protest.

On a day when Punjab reached 266 for eight at stumps, the 12-minute
stoppage triggered by the incident involving Gill remained the talking point.

It all happened in the 10th over when Punjab was 34 for one and Gill on 10. Adjudged caught-behind off medium pacer Subodh Bhati, a surprised and instantly-animated Gill confronted the umpire, with his conduct being far from gentlemanly.

When Rafi changed his decision, the drama continued with Delhi players alleging abusive language by Gill, questioned the umpire and almost left the field. The match-referee P. Ranganathan intervened and eventually better prevailed with the match resuming. Gill, however, did not last long and was eventually out for 23.

It remains to be seen whether Ranganathan cracks the whip.