Adam Gilchrist tries to pacify an irate Preity Zinta, in Mohali

Mohali: In this cut-throat age of professionalism, not even an inch is conceded to the opposition. Arguments, counter-arguments, evidences — all are put together in the mix before a decision is made. Not only life in general, that applies for cricket as well.

But Shaun Marsh set an example of a different sort on Wednesday. There was controversy regarding his dismissal, but the Australian played it by the old-school, giving utmost importance to sportsmanship, as he went by the wicketkeeper’s word and did not seek the third umpire’s intervention.

In fact, not everyone at the PCA Stadium, here, on Wednesday, was convinced by the manner in which Marsh was dismissed, during Kings XI Punjab’s IPL-V match against the Kolkata Knight Riders.

Batting on 33, the left-handed batsman had to return to the pavilion in the 14th over under controversial circumstances. While trying to hit an away-going delivery from Brett Lee, the batsman edged it to the Knights’ wicket-keeper, Manvinder Bisla, who took a low catch that appeared to have almost touched the ground.

The umpires conferred and then asked for Bisla’s consent before declaring the batsman out. Marsh checked with Bisla, and accepted the wicketkeeper’s word.

Television replays, however, were inconclusive. So it’s obvious that had the incident been referred to the third umpire, the batsman could have got the benefit of doubt.

Though Marsh accepted the decision, Kings XI co-owner Preity Zinta did not appear to be too pleased with that.

The Bollywood star went on to question one of the match officials — the fourth umpire — before Adam Gilchrist, the Kings XI captain, stepped in to restore calm.

Bharati Vij, the fourth umpire, was present on the field as the strategic time out had been called at that time.

“I’m not convinced,” Gilchrist later said about the dismissal.

All-rounder Rajat Bhatia, at the post-match media conference, said: “It is part of cricket... Such things do happen. Bisla never said that he took the catch, all he said was that he felt he took the catch. That the umpires decided in our favour is not Bisla’s mistake.”