Wed. Jul 30th, 2025

Jaiswal DRS Sparks Uproar, Stokes Argues with Umpire — What Really Happened at Edgbaston?

Scene Set: A High-Stakes Drama Unfolds at Edgbaston

July 4, 2025 – Day three of the much-anticipated India vs England 2nd Test at Edgbaston. The crowd was electric, the tension palpable, and the match was delicately poised. But then came a moment that nobody saw coming, a moment of undeniable controversy, a moment that would dominate the headlines: the Yashasvi Jaiswal DRS controversy.

India had just begun their second innings, after already leading by 180+. Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul opened the innings, attacking. That’s when Josh Tongue got Jaiswal LBW with an inswinger. Umpire Sharfuddoula raised the dreaded finger. What followed was not merely a decision: it was a drama.

The Controversial Call: When Seconds Became the Story

Jaiswal was taken aback. He turned to Rahul. There was a conversation. Meanwhile, cameras ticked down the 15 second DRS timer — the legal window period to review the decision.

By the time Jaiswal signalled ‘T’, the 15 second timer had just hit zero. According to the ICC DRS rules, the batter must ‘indicate’ from the time the umpire has raised his finger and in Stokes’ words, “It’s 15 seconds, it has already passed.” That’s when Ben Stokes stormed in.

“He reviewed after the timer! That’s not allowed!” — Stokes shouted at umpire Sharfuddoula.

The review was still allowed. Hawk-Eye showed three reds. Jaiswal dismissed for 28 off 22 — but the damage was not run, but more about the protocols.

Stokes vs. Umpire: Flashpoint at the Centre

The images were dramatic. Stokes ran toward umpire Sharfuddoula, clearly irritated, and there was a heated exchange in front of a full Edgbaston.

KL Rahul was playing the diplomat, trying to calm the situation down. But Stokes was having none of it. England’s captain pointed aggressively at the big screen, where the timeline delay was being shown again.

The Edgbaston crowd let the umpires have it – booing, not at the batter, but at day-one officials.

“To be honest, if the timer doesn’t mean anything, why have it at all?” tweeted a fan.

It was more than one wicket. It was a matter of integrity for the DRS system.

Crowd Reaction: Boo Birds in Birmingham

The crowd had been loud all day, but after the Jaiswal DRS debacle, cheers turned to jeers.

The big screen replay added gasoline to the fire – showing the timer reaching zero, prior to Jaiswal’s review. Fans believed there was injustice. One previous banner read “15 means 15.”

Commentators also had divided opinions

“I suppose technically they are right to be annoyed, ” Nasser Hussain said.
“But there is always going to be a delay of a second, umpires have to factor that in, ” countered Sanjay Manjrekar.

The Stats That Set the Stage

Prior to the uproar:

India was in a healthy position of 51/0 in 7.2 overs – India’s fastest opening kick-off in Tests in England.
Jaiswal had six crisp 4s and looked ominous.

After he got out:

India finished Day 3 at 64/1 and a 244-run lead.
The last few balls were seen off by KL Rahul and Shubman Gill.

Earlier it was Mohammed Siraj’s 6/70 that brought India back into the match, bowling England out for 407.

DRS Rulebook: What Does the Law Actually Say?

Per the ICC DRS protocol:

The batter must signal for a review within 15 seconds.
If it is not, the original decision will be upheld.

But there is discretion, and umpires will consider a review when there is uncertainty over communication or if any technology delays (like a camera glitch).

In Jaiswal’s case, it is possible the third umpire thought the review signal had occurred in time – or very close to it.

“Very close” works in other sports, but should it be in international cricket?

That is where opinions are split – and that is where Stokes’ fury found support.

Fan Debate: Spirit vs. Letter of the Law

Social media exploded:

#JaiswalDRS trended globally.
Some called it “cheating by delay,” others said it was “an umpiring grey zone.”

Cricket fans debated not just the call, but the fairness of flexibility.

A poll on ESPNcricinfo showed:

63% of fans felt the review should NOT have been allowed.
25% said the umpires made the right call.
12% were unsure.

Ben Stokes: Defender of Discipline or Overreacting?

This isn’t the first occasion Stokes has contested on-field decisions. His leadership has come from intensity and this episode demonstrated his commitment to fairness. But some suggested he was not long past the line and his public dissent may not have been appropriate.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan tweeted:

“Ben was right. But perhaps the right time and place was not his approach. Let the game breathe.”

None-the-less, Stokes’ actions brought a valuable discussion about cricket – when do rules meet on-field pressure.

Impact on the Match: Minor Incident, Major Echoes

The Jaiswal DRS “incident’ had no influence on the match score in terms of winning or losing, but was an important psychological influence.

Feeling some control still:

With Shubman Gill still fresh from a double century, and
A bowler that had broken the spine of the England batting order.

But importantly – it created drama for a game enjoyed for its energy and spirit of protest. To what might have been a mundane Day 3.

What Next? Reforms or Just Reminders?

Will this event instigate DRS reforms? Unlikely. But it could instigate:

Better clock visibility to players.
Better adherence to stricter regulations (or clearer allowances).
Review methods in loud environments.

What it has definitely done is start conversations – about cricket’s balance of rules and fairness, and how even a second late can create a tempest!

Conclusion: More Than Just a Review

The Yashasvi Jaiswal DRS incident was not just about a wicket, it was about how contemporary cricket negotiates the confluence of technology, human umpiring ethic, and good sportsmanship.

From Stokes’ perplexity to the crowds within stadium disapproval, from Twitter trends with backlash to popular News outlets engaging seriously with the talking point, to deep dives into the rulebook, this topic became the mouthpiece of the Test.

India may win or lose this match, yet the mere reality of this conversation will be remembered, discussed, and replayed to illustrate points by cricket purists for months.

Because it is not always just about the game. Sometimes it’s about the manner in which the game is played.