![Fans react to Dhruv Jurel catch [Source: screengrab/x]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1787057140698_Lahiru_Udara_Dhruv_Jurel.jpg?type=hq)
Fans react to Dhruv Jurel catch [Source: screengrab/x]
Team India continues to mount pressure over hosts Sri Lanka in their ongoing series-opening first Test match at the Galle International Stadium. Defending 372 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the series, Indian bowlers removed each of Sri Lanka’s top four batters before stumps on Day 4.
However, the fourth wicket of the second Sri Lankan innings sparked a major controversy and discussion among fans and cricket experts. With Indian spinner Manav Suthar dismissing hosts opener Lahiru Udara for just 16 off 58 balls, it now appears that the catch taken by close-in fielder Dhruv Jurel may not have been as clean as it seemed.
What happened between Dhruv Jurel and Lahiru Udara
During the 22nd over of the second Sri Lanka innings on Day 4, Sri Lanka’s well-set opener Lahiru Udara nicked the ball towards close-in fielder Dhruv Jurel off the bowling of in-form spinner Manav Suthar.
After Jurel seemingly completed the catch, Indian fielders roared in unison for a huge appeal, only for the on-field umpire to take the decision upstairs.
Upon inspecting several replays, third umpire Raveendra Wimalasiri said he was satisfied with the catch and declared Udara out for 16.
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However, from a different angle, it appeared that Dhruv Jurel had grassed the ball instead. In any case, Lahiru Udara eventually made his walk back to the sheds as the hosts slipped to 47-4 in a chase of 372.
Fans criticize Dhruv Jurel for claiming unclean catch
As it happened, social media erupted shortly after the dismissal of Lahiru Udara, with several cricket fans criticizing Dhruv Jurel for claiming a seemingly grassed catch.
Even Indian fans questioned Jurel’s sportsmanship, considering the cricketer confidently raised his finger and pointed towards the umpire to claim that he snared a clean catch. However, some fans also directly blamed third umpire Raveendra Wimalasiri instead for taking a decision in haste in such a close call.
Here is a look at how some of the fans reacted to the Indian cricketer over his controversial catch against Sri Lanka.
"That catch by Dhruv Jurel shouldn’t be even up for debate. That was clearly not out. Lahiru Udara has only the tv umpire to blame for this one. Reserve umpire called in to officiate after Rod Tucker was unwell." - @rawatrahul9
Sri Lanka stare towards big defeat after Dhruv Jurel controversy
While fans continue to argue over the legitimacy of the Dhruv Jurel catch in dismissing the Sri Lankan opener off the bowling of Manav Suthar, the moment inherently impacted Sri Lanka’s prospects in the first Test of the series.
For starters, the moment marked Sri Lanka’s fourth wicket of the innings for just 47 on the board in 21.4 overs.
By the time of publishing, Sri Lanka reached 84-4, courtesy of a growing partnership between middle-order batters Sonal Dinusha and captain Dhananjaya de Silva.
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