Ravichandran Ashwin has publicly criticized umpire Paul Reiffel's decisions during the ongoing Test series between India and England, particularly during the third Test at Lord's. Ashwin's remarks highlight a perceived bias in Reiffel's umpiring, suggesting that decisions tend to favor the opposition when India is bowling and vice versa when India is batting.

Ashwin made his observations during a discussion on his YouTube channel "Ash ki Baat". He stated that he always felt the need to be extra cautious and engage in more conversation with Reiffel, implying a lack of confidence in the umpire's impartiality. Ashwin said, "My experience with Paul Reiffel has been that you always have to talk to him. You have to set him up. I'm not saying that you have to tell him, 'Give me the wicket.' Whenever India bowls, he (Paul Reiffel) feels that it's not out. When India bats, he feels that it's always out".

Several specific incidents during the Lord's Test fueled Ashwin's criticism. One notable instance was when Mohammed Siraj bowled a delivery that struck Joe Root in front of the stumps. Reiffel turned down the LBW appeal, and India reviewed the decision. Although the ball-tracking technology indicated it would have clipped the leg stump, Root survived due to the "umpire's call". This decision drew immediate criticism and sparked debate among cricket fans and experts.

Another contentious decision involved India's captain, Shubman Gill, who was given out caught behind. However, the Decision Review System (DRS) revealed that the ball had not made contact with the bat, leading to the reversal of the decision. Ashwin humorously commented on this incident, saying that the gap between Gill's bat and the ball was so large that "a sedan car can go through the gap".

Ashwin also shared a remark made by his father while watching the match, "We won't win when Paul Reiffel is there". He added, "Whenever Paul Reiffel comes, we never win".

Ashwin suggested that the International Cricket Council (ICC) should investigate if other teams have similar concerns about Reiffel's umpiring. "If it's not against India but against all teams, then ICC has to see towards it,” Ashwin stated.

Paul Reiffel is a part of the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires and has officiated in over 100 Test matches.