Commonwealth Games 2022

‘Sorry Clock start nahi hua’ – Virender Sehwag on biased umpiring incident that took place in India-Australia Women’s Hockey Commonwealth Games 2022 Semi-Final

Australia ended up beating India in the women’s hockey semi-final in the ongoing Commonwealth Games. Meanwhile, the penalty shootout has now become a burning question after the umpires called for the first Australian shot to be re-taken due to a shot-clock error. It is important to note that Ambrosia Malone had missed the penalty, but the match officials called for the shot to be retaken, and Ambrosia did not fail to convert her strike this time around.

Former India batter Virender Sehwag has now reacted strongly to the call by the officials, saying such bias and preferential treatment also used to happen to India in cricket until India became a cricketing giant and also had financial power.

“Penalty miss hua Australia se and the Umpire says, Sorry Clock start nahi hua. Such biasedness used to happen in cricket as well earlier till we became a superpower, Hockey mein bhi hum jald banenge and all clocks will start on time. Proud of our girls,” tweeted Sehwag.

Here is the tweet-

Penalty miss hua Australia se and the Umpire says, Sorry Clock start nahi hua. Such biasedness used to happen in cricket as well earlier till we became a superpower, Hockey mein bhi hum jald banenge and all clocks will start on time. Proud of our girls 🇮🇳https://t.co/mqxJfX0RDq

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) August 6, 2022

This decision had an impact on the eventual result as Australia bossed India in the penalty shootout and won 3-0 to confirm their final spot. India, meanwhile, will square off against England for the Bronze Medal Match.

Former India hockey captain Viren Rasquinha also reacted strongly to the incident, tweeting: “The @FIH_Hockey really needs to get their act in order. Timers are basics. This is not an Under 10 school match. 2nd time in a year in major tournaments this happens. Our beautiful sport will lose its credibility & will lose many passionate fans if FIH continues to f*#$ up.”

The International Hockey Federation FIH issued an apology on Saturday regarding the clock controversy that unfolded against Australia in Commonwealth Games 2022. saying it would “thoroughly review” the incident. Australia’s Rosie Malone, who grassed her first attempt during the penalty shootout, was given another chance as the eight-second countdown on the scoreboard hadn’t started.

“In the semi-final match of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games between Australia and India (Women), the penalty shootout started mistakenly too early (the clock was not yet ready to operate), for which we apologize,” FIH said in a statement.