New Delhi: Virat Kohli stood his ground and looked like one of the most comfortable batters during the second Test between India and Australia. He was given out to debutant Matthew Kuhnemann and the decision has once again created a controversy. The batter was struck lbw and there was confusion on where the ball hit first, the bat or the pad, or did the ball hit the bat and pad together.
On-field umpire Nitin Menon called it out and the third umpire did not find any conclusive evidence to overturn the decision, so Kohli had to depart for 44 off 84, dejected at his home ground. TV umpire Illingworth saw a spike when the ball hit the pads while it was close to the bat as well. He decided to give with the on-field umpire’s decision and the ball-tracker showed the delivery to just clip the leg stump.
It was a crucial wicket in the context of the game as losing Ravindra Jadeja after a 61-run stand left Kohli to fight it out. Kohli’s wicket dragged India to 135/6. trailing behind 128 runs.
The wicket made Indian cricket fans unhappy and they even expressed their angst against Nitin Menon on Twitter.
Go to hell Nitin Menon and the third umpire.?#INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/6Ux91pX5On
— Kriti Singh ? (@kritiitweets) 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
KL to Nitin Menon meanwhile: pic.twitter.com/z14AWdVIK3
— Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh) February 18, 2023
Its always Kohli vs Nitin Menon. pic.twitter.com/qCwdz0lP0l
— S. (@ishantraj51) February 18, 2023
Nitin Menon is officially the worst umpire in world cricket. It was not at all Virat Kohli’s fault today. pic.twitter.com/hWPgwwUU6N
— leishaa ✨ (@katyxkohli17) February 18, 2023
Kohli looked angry after being given out by the third umpire.#INDvAUS #ViratKohli? #Umpire pic.twitter.com/AiE8gbcDkd
— Akhil Gupta ? (@Guptastats92) February 18, 2023
Unlucky Virat Kohli. pic.twitter.com/W0MzaprUUy
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) February 18, 2023
In the game, India started well but lost four wickets quickly as Nathan Lyon destroyed the top order. Kohli and Jadeja led a fight back, which was short-lived as Todd Murphy dismissed Jadeja for 26(74). While Kohli looked somewhat in control, Jadeja was being beaten and eventually lost his wicket and a crucial review.
The hosts will now hope that their lower-middle order helps them cross the 263-run mark as trailing and then going in a chase in the fourth inning will not be easy on Delhi’s turning track.
