Australia-India ‘cheating’ allegations disproved by man behind snicko technology

Snicko caused plenty of controversy in the fourth Test but now the man behind the technology has spoken out about the drama.

The man behind the snicko technology has laid the ‘cheating’ allegations to rest after revealing why the ultra-edge technology did not pick up any noise in Yashasvi Jaiswal’s controversial dismissal.

Fierce backlash surrounded the final day of play at the MCG where the hosts emerged with a 184-run victory in the final hour of play.

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But it was the dismissal of Indian rising star Jaiswal that caused the most uproar.

The key wicket became a major talking point when it was sent upstairs for review, with snicko showing no noise despite a clear deviation being evident on replay.

Third umpire Sharfuddoula Saikat still elected to overturn Joel Wilson’s on-field decision and sent the Indian opener on his way, much to the dismay of Indian fans and pundits around the globe, who in the aftermath accused Australia of “cheating” their way to victory.

Australian players celebrate to a DRS decision that dismisses Yashasvi Jaiswal on day five of the fourth cricket Test match between Australia and India. (Photo by Martin KEEP / AFP)

But in the wake of the scandal, the creator of BBG Sports – the founders of snicko and ‘HotSpot’ – moved to clear up the incident.

Warren Brennen, who established the company and is their head of technology, told CODE Sports snicko doesn’t always pick up slight touches or ‘glancing blows’.

“That was one of the glance shots where there isn’t any noise so Snicko shows nothing only ambient noise,” Brennan said.

“I checked with the audio director and he said there was no noise either. Probably only Hot Spot could have resolved that one.”

Brennen's comments only further add to Sharfuddoula’s decision to overturn the Joel Wilson’s original not out call and send Jaiswal on his way.

The Third Umpire overruled 'Snicko' to give Yashasvi Jaiswal out after Pat Cummins reviewed a caught behind. Image: Channel 7

In communicating his decision, Sharfuddoula explained that even with snicko being inconclusive, the clear deviation of the ball showed the batsman had hit it and prompted Joel Wilson to change his decision.

But Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) vice president Rajeev Shukla was furious at the umpire opting to disregard the technology.

 “Yashaswi Jayaswal was clearly not out. The third umpire should have taken note of what technology was suggesting. While overruling field umpire third umpire should have solid reasons,” he wrote.

While Indian cricket great Sunil Gavaskar was equally dismayed asking how the technology’s findings could be overruled.

“If the evidence of the technology is not to be taken, why have it at all? That is something that would definitely be the query as far as the Indians are concerned,” Gavaskar said on Channel 7.

“Yes it looked as if it might have gone off the glove, but then there can be an optical illusion.

“Often we see when the ball is brand new that the ball goes near the bats edge and then moves away and that is because the optical illusion from those watching here is that it has taken a nick.”

No snicko but the evidence was clear. Credit: Fox Sports.

While Gavaskar was convinced it was an optical illusion, Hot Spot could have potentially solidified what was in the end the correct decision.

Hot Spot works using infra-red cameras that measure heat signatures gained from friction on a player’s bat, gloves or pad.

While the system could have helped provide more conclusive evidence of whether Jaiswal had hit the ball, it is currently not in use for the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar series.

That’s because concerns have previously been raised over the system’s accuracy. As a result Hot Spot’s use has decreased over the years and is now not widely used by international teams.

However, after the drama around Jaiswal’s dismissal it may be time for it to come back.

Originally published as Australia-India ‘cheating’ allegations disproved by man behind snicko technology