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India vs West Indies - (Source: @ScreenGrab/BCCI.com)
On the occasion of Dusshera, India locked horns against the West Indies in the first Test at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Shubman Gill walked to the toss, but the luck didn't favour the Indian captain once again.
West Indies won the toss and opted to bat first. Meanwhile, Ravi Shastri, who in his usual energetic demeanour, introduced both the captains, but interestingly, the loudest cheer on the ground was for the match referee, Andy Pycroft.
Andy Pycroft steals the show at Ahmedabad
It is not a usual day when a match referee steals the limelight ahead of Shubman Gill, but such was the case during the toss ahead of the start of the first Test.
The cheer was because of the Asia Cup drama that occurred a few weeks ago, where the PCB had targeted the Zimbabwe-based referee over the handshake saga against India. Also, Ravis Shastri, too hyped up Pycroft during the toss and introduced him in style with a subtle reference to Asia Cup controversy.
“Back in the house all the way from Dubai in the hot seat, Andy Pycroft," remarked Ravi Shastri.
What was the controversy around Andy Pycroft?
India's act not to shake hands didn't go well with the PCB, and they instead urged the ICC to remove Andy Pycroft, who was the match referee, for the miscommunication and failing to notify the board regarding India's decision not to shake hands.
The drama grew so big that the PCB instructed the team to stay back in hotel for the UAE game. Eventually, the board members held a meeting with Pycroft at the Dubai International Stadium, where they claimed that the Zimbabwe national apologises to Salman Agha and the coach.
Eventually, Pycroft continued as the match referee while Pakistan agreed to play against the UAE and eventually qualified for the Super Four round after a comfortable win. Nonetheless, talking about the ongoing Test match, India have got off to the perfect start as the Windies are reduced to 39/3 after 11 overs.
