PakPassions SOSAMI sat through the dramatic events of the 3rd day at Trentbridge and sends in his verdict on the Bell runout and subsequent recall.

By SOSAMI ( 31st July, 2011)

That was the veridict of unhappy Indian fans at Trent Bridge, or at least the ones I met on day three of the test yesterday.

Their mood was already pretty gloomy after the first two sessions, but the Ian Bell run-out changed the atmosphere at the ground completely.

It was edgy, as the crowd sensed controversy in the air. TMS radios were pinned to ears, with fans eagerly trying to figure out what was going on as Bell and Morgan trooped off for tea, leaving the Indians out on the field to discuss the decision with the Umpires.

England fans booed the India team off into tea, and booed them out (see exclusive PP video below), until they saw Ian Bell emerge, at which point they cheered. Is it possible to take back boos? Fans are entitled to show their emotions I suppose.

Indian fans however, were livid with India's change of heart.

“It just confirms what we suspect about Dhoni, he cares more about his public persona than anything else” one fan told me “the main factor in his decision is how many articles eulogising his actions will be written in the English press tomorrow”.

Another commented “they're a largely spineless bunch and overly reliant on the BCCI throwing their weight around. Without the cash, we are the same old India, relying on home advantage and bowing before the opposition for fear of criticism. At least you guys [Pakistan] aren't scared of anything”.

“Ganguly would not have given an inch, that’s why Dhoni will never come close to Dada” another lamented.

I didn't meet any Indian fans who were happy with the decision to reverse the run-out and I wouldn't expect to.

The tannoy system half way through the final session lauded Dhoni's decision and was applauded by all the England fans, but received with disdain from the Indians.

My take on the incident? I was sitting yards from Praveen Kumar's dive on the boundary, and it was the nearby fans that told him the ball hadn't touched the boundary as he struggled to locate the ball. The ball remained live and Bell was run out.

Yes, he was out.

The umpires made the correct decision and although India's actions may not have been in the spirit of the game, once the umpire's finger was raised that should have been the end of it.

I don't recall England calling back Inzamam after he was adjudged run-out as he looked to avoid being struck after Harmison pelted the ball at him. Nor do I recall Collingwood calling back Grant Elliot, even after the umpires asked the then-captain if he wanted to uphold the appeal. They are not completely identical situations, but not so dissimilar as to be ignored.

Strauss and Flower should never have engineered such a turnaround either – what will we see next? Dodgy leg-before decisions being overturned in changing rooms? I sincerely hope the umpires asked them to reconsider - if it was something the captains sorted out between themselves, then we have a dangerous precedent.

England fans, who for some reason think they are the moral keepers of the game, reacted with disgust at the run out "typical of the way the way Indians try to bully others, using their financial advantage to do whatever they want". They were far more complementary after Bell returned after tea "it's only right he should be given another chance, even though the ball wasn't dead and technically he was out".

What happened to the sanctity of umpiring?

Whingeing England fans, angry Indian supporters. Typical?