Former Indian captain Virat Kohli looked set to pose a threat to Australia in the first innings of the series’ second Test. In the 84 balls he faced, he scored 44 runs, including four boundaries. However, his dismissal off debutant Matthew Kuhnemann has sparked heated debate.
In the 50th over of India’s batting innings, Kuhnemann bowled a straight delivery onto Virat‘s stumps that did not turn much. The batter was trapped LBW but immediately reviewed the decision. As it turns out, the ball looked to have taken the inside edge off Kohli’s bat. There was no conclusive evidence, however, as to whether the ball took the edge or directly struck the pad.
The Third UmpireNitin Menon was convinced that the ball struck the pad first and ruled in favour of the bowler. On the other hand, fans were enraged at the decision since there seemed to be no conclusive decision. Many people pointed out that the batter should have been given the benefit of the doubt.
According to law 36.2.2 of the MCC, ” if the ball makes contact with the striker’s person and bat simultaneously, this shall be considered as the ball having first touched the bat.”
“Nitin Menon ka b sting operation karvake nikalo BC… Pata he nhi bat ya pad first to not out dena… Just because Australia doesn’t left with any review, he’s helping him,” an angry fan wrote. “BC isko Kaun out deta hai. Just bcz it is India it has been given out,” another fan wrote.
As for the game, the team led by Rohit Sharma dismissed the visitors for a team score of 263 runs. Pacer Mohammed Shami took four wickets in the innings, while the all-rounder duo of Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin took three each.
After that, India survived Day 1 with the bat, scoring 21/0 by the end of it. However, it was all downhill for them after that. At tea on Day 2, India scored 179 runs and lost 7 wickets, with Nathan Lyon completing his five-wicket haul.
Here is how Twitter reacted to Virat Kohli’s wicket
Nitin Menon ka b sting operation karvake nikalo BC…
Pata he nhi bat ya pad first to not out dena… Just because Australia doesn't left with any review, he's helping him
— Sagar Shiroya (@OfficialSagar21) February 18, 2023
Khel Raha tha bhai axhha aaaj lwde jaisa luck hai iska bs ab chhod de cricket khelna virat aur ranji trophy khele
— Gitesh Karsh (@GiteshKarsh11) February 18, 2023
3rd umpire while giving the decision pic.twitter.com/nGazfWauVA
— Datta (@SlayerDatta) February 18, 2023
wicket's today
Lyon :- 4
Nitin Menon:- 2— Harsh (@cricketharshh) February 18, 2023
Nitin Menon luchaaa
Read the rules pic.twitter.com/qtHAD3aJib— Jersey 18 (@LegB4wkt) February 18, 2023
— VIRAT ANNA™ (@rickywatson_23) February 18, 2023
This is the third time for kohli bat and pad at the same time ????????
— Dr.MRK (@dr_mrk_99) February 18, 2023
Unreal bad luck for Kohli
— Mehran ?????? ?? (@mehranzaidi) February 18, 2023
Bhai yeh umpires mein steve bucknor ki atma ghuss gayi hai..
They even forgot golden rule of benifit of doubt goes to batsman (virat Kohli)#INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/ZRvOKIRRM6
— Vaibhav (@vabby_16) February 18, 2023
