Eng vs Ind: Fans mercilessly troll the inner edge gesture on the first day of the fifth test
The drama has wrapped up on the first day The fifth test between England and India It’s oval and not just a cricket contest. Instead, a judgement on the field Kumar Dharmasena After a controversial hand gesture during the critical LBW decision seemed to rock England’s review choices, he found himself at the heart of the online storm. The verdict of the judge was technically correct, but the immediate signal on his inner edge accepted relentless trolling on social media before the DRS timer expired.
Kumar Dharmasena’s subtle signal that sparked the storm on the first day
Flashpoint arrived with India on the 13th Sai Sudarsan Washed down on an English pad Josh’s tongue. The English fielder went up in unison for a passionate LBW appeal, for Dalmena to turn it down. However, rather than simply dictating that he was “not out,” the judge immediately gestured to the English side, appearing in the 15-second window team.
This subtle yet consequential gesture convinced the England captain. Ollie Pope To display the review, Cole was later confirmed as correct by TV replay. Nevertheless, optics are inflamed passion: fans and critics argued that Dharmassena’s actions risked unfairly affecting Fielding’s part and decided to review for them. Notable commentators like Sanjay Banger Hit the moment and say, “The judge should not give a signal as to what is going on in your mind. Otherwise, the bowlers and bowling teams will get some hints. The judge should not have done that”.
Experts respond #kumardharmasena Make a call to LBW of Lightning #saisuudharsan ⚡
Did he judge it too quickly or perfectly? 👀#engvind 👉5th Test, Day 1 | Living at JiohotStar now https://t.co/04pyjgm7su pic.twitter.com/ljukfv5own
– Starsports (@starsportsindia) July 31, 2025
Social media exploded as expected. Hashtags sought stricter neutrality. Many ridiculed dharmassena for thinking about “professional” communication, questioning whether such a signal is located in modern cricket.
Here’s how the fans responded:
Why not include Kumar Dharmasena in your British Play XI? He was signaled against receiving a review for them!
~What do you think about this 🤔 #indvseng pic.twitter.com/pcjqdvzumm-Kavya Maran (@kavya_maran_srh) July 31, 2025
Why is Sri Lankan judge Kumar Darsana saying that he is clearly edged by showing his fingers to the British bowlers?@icc what happened ? Obviously he’s correcting there so he showed that signal, which is why the English fielder doesn’t sue afterwards and doesn’t go to review… pic.twitter.com/hkqu6ufd2x
– MK (@mkr4411) July 31, 2025
Kumar Dharmasena showed bat involvement while the DRS timer was on. pic.twitter.com/uqly8c7n3k
-Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) August 1, 2025
Judgment Kumar Darsana showed bat involvement while the DRS timer was on.
-Sai Sudharsan vs Josh Tongue. !!
– Man. (@immanu_18) August 1, 2025
Dharmassena won them in the World Cup. What are you talking about? Kumar Dharmasena is https://t.co/4latopbbjj pic.twitter.com/plxsvqkefj
– kdb (@studentofucb) August 1, 2025
Kumar Dharmasena is a very stupid umpire and he doesn’t even know that either the bowling side or the batter should not give such a clue to his DRS days (until he decides to review at least 15 seconds). Yes, he does this regularly. pic.twitter.com/6jnajrozku
-vipul🇮🇳 (@vipul_espeaks) July 31, 2025
Kumar Dharmasena is here to keep free coaching on England bowlers underestimating. Why signal “inner edge” before a 15-second DRS timer? Let them waste reviews just as the rest of us waste our time! Judgment or Match Consulting? 🤔 #kumardharmasena #indvseng
– Only OG (@ogtweetstruth) July 31, 2025
Does Kumar Dharmasena help bowlers in England?
By explaining why you refuse to appeal 🤔🤔#indvseng #indvsendttest test pic.twitter.com/chu6ritsaq
-Mayank (@mayankcdp) July 31, 2025
What does Kumar Dharmasena do? Let them do a review and wait 15 seconds. #engvind pic.twitter.com/irtb00ipbu
– Night Watchman (@ngtwmn) July 31, 2025
See Kumar Dharmasena’s reaction
– Kumar Dharmasena showed bat involvement when the DRS timer was on.
-What do you think about this? #indvseng pic.twitter.com/mdoc47o59g
– Richard Kettleborough (@richkettle07) August 1, 2025
Read again: Eng vs Ind: Gus Atkinson gives you the latest updates on shoulder injuries in Chris Woakes’ oval test
India early set date 1 of the oval test
Cricket on the field continued under the ominous and cloudy London skies while the storm was raging online. India was in trouble early and lost both openers cheaply: Yashasvi Jaiswal (2) Falled trapped forward by a sharp incemer from the debutant Gus Atkinson– It was overturned in reviews, not in the field KL was satisfied (14), performed on his stump to attempt an unfair cut. By lunch, the early downpour had paused India’s reserved play, with two players at 72.
Sai Sudarsanbriefly at the center of the controversy, now dug for patient 38 before his vigil was kicked out of his tongue on the 36th. skipper Shubman Gill Number 4 provided calmness and class Karun Nyarecalled by xi, struck a rough 50 under pressure. India finished day one with 6/204, but thanks to Dogged’s contribution from the middle order, the majority of the match and the conversation that day is hidden by a single referee gesture and its ripples.