Back-to-back wickets of Ravindra Jadeja and Virat Kohli have put India on the backfoot in the ongoing second Test between India and Australia at the Arun Jaitley in Delhi. Virat Kohli departed for a well-made 44, but his dismissal gave rise to a huge controversy as the batter was given LBW despite the replays showing that there was no conclusive evidence whether the ball was his bat or pad first.
It all happened ed on the third delivery of the 50th over when Virat Kohli was deceived by Matthew Kuhnemann’s arm ball. Kohli immediately opted for a review and gave the impression of edging the ball. Perhaps a case of the ball hitting the bat and pad at the exact same time, wasn’t conclusive proof enough for third umpire Richard Illingworth to overturn on-field umpire Nitin Menon’s decision.
WATCH – Ravindra Jadeja Ended Up Hugging Steve Smith While Completing A Run
As a result, Virat Kohli had no option but to return to walk back to the pavilion especially with the ball hitting the stumps in the replays. Coming in to bat at No. 4 in the 20th over amid a loud reception at his home ground at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Kohli played well for his 44 (84) but the same might not be enough for India to attain a first-innings lead.
If truth be told, for that to happen, India needs another significant lower-order contribution from the likes of Axar Patel and Ravichandran Ashwin. The Indian team is trailing behind Australia, who made 263 runs in the first innings.
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Australia would have been bundled out under 200 once again had Peter Handscomb not played a brilliant 72-run knock. Handscomb was aided by Pat Cummins’ 33. For Australia, Nathan Lyon has taken five off the seven wickets to fall for India.
Here is the video of the dismissal of Virat Kohli:
Virat Kohli was visibily angry in the dressing room while watching replay of his dismissal as well.
Kohli's dismissal : pic.twitter.com/tng8LE6n49
— 🦋 Mee23 🙂 🦋 (@2_Meenu23) February 18, 2023
There are clear spikes with the bat 🙁
Kohli looks angry after he given out by third umpire.#INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/AYLDXhCar0
— Deepak Kumar (@deepak_ray1) February 18, 2023
Earlier in the first session on Day 2, after a cautious start, from a position of 46/2, the Indian team was left reeling at 66/4 owing to a brilliant spell. Australia are trailing 1-0 in the series but they have a great opportunity to take a big lead in the second Test.
Here is how the Indian cricketing fraternity reacted to the dismissal of Virat Kohli:
Terrible umpiring. Looked like ball hit the Kohli’s bat first. It wasn’t 100% clear. Benefit of doubt should have to Kohli.
Kohli was not out in any case. #INDvsAUS #AUSvsIND
— Tejas Mehta (@itejasmehta) February 18, 2023
Mark Waugh (on Virat Kohli's dismissal) said, "9 out of 10 times umpires will give that Not Out".
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) February 18, 2023
Still not convinced of that Kohli decision. It looked more not out than out.
— Mayank (@kmayank9) February 18, 2023
It's clearly not out. Kohli is unlucky.
— Rajesh Abraham🇮🇳 (@pendown) February 18, 2023
That wasn't out to me. Too much doubt in there. #INDvAUS #ViratKohli pic.twitter.com/wrYGg1e1nT
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) February 18, 2023
Yet again, sodden luck for Kohli. Nitin Menon gave what I would call a “pity” out, seeing how badly Australia had gone with their reviews. In my book, that should have been not out.
— Debayan Sen (ਦੇਬਾਯਨ) (@debayansen) February 18, 2023
Umpires never support Virat kohli like Mumbai Indians 💔 pic.twitter.com/SOTDQFhkM5
— Vishal. (@SportyVishaI) February 18, 2023
Virat Kohli is unlucky here. pic.twitter.com/cK3vSOKYa0
— CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh) February 18, 2023
