Ashwin backs Nitin Menon after England fans boo him for controversial run out decision involving Steve Smith

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Nitin Menon was booed by the England fans on Friday on Day 2 of the fifth and final Ashes 2023 Test for not giving a run out decision involving Steve Smith in their team's favour.

The incident happened on the third ball of the 78th over when Steve Smith played a delivery on the leg side and tried to steal a double with his partner Pat Cummins. However, substitute fielder George Ealham got hold of the ball earlier than expected by Smith and launched a throw towards the striker's end. Jonny Bairstow collected the ball and broke the stumps as England and their fans broke into a loud celebration.

The first look of the replay made an impression that Smith fell short of the crease by a fair margin as the celebratory cheers from the crowd became louder. Even Smith started his way back to the pavilion before Menon demanded for a split screen to simultaneously look at the timing of Smith's batting crossing the crease and Bairstow removing the bails completely.

After a frame-by-frame scrutiny, it became clear that Smith had dragged his bat inside the crease well before any of the two bails properly came off. A 'Not Out' decision was displayed on the big screen as celebratory cheers turned into boos for the Indian umpire.

However, the likes of Ravichandran Ashwin and Aakash Chopra soon took to their Twitter handles to applaud Menon.

"What’s with the Ashes and substitute fielders. #ashes2023 #ashes2005 #garypratt #georgeeahlam Have to applaud Nitin Menon for making the right decision," Ashwin tweeted.

"Well done, Nitin Menon. Good decision. A tough decision,' said Chopra.

Here's how other fans have reacted to the decision from Nitin Menon

The eighth wicket partnership between Smith and Cummins was accounting for just 10 runs when the incident took place. Smith made the most of the opportunity and ended up forging a 54-run partnership off 103 balls with Cummins. By the end of Day 2, Australia got bundled out for 295 but managed to take a slender 12-run first innings lead.