Virat Kohli’s dismissal for a duck on Day 1 of the second Test between India and New Zealand in Kanpur drew mixed reactions. While some felt that the decision was incorrect and criticised on-field umpires Nitin Menon, Anil Choudhary and third umpire Virender Sharma for making a ‘poor’ call, there were those who felt that the India captain in fact was out.
Kohli was out for a four-ball duck, his fourth this year, but not before there was drama surrounding it. Kohli thought there was bat and immediately reviewing Chaudhary’s original dismissal of out. However, the replay put the decision in a fix as it showed the ball hitting the bat and pad almost at the same time. Since there was no ‘conclusive evidence’ in the replay, as Virender Sharma reiterated several time on air, he could not overturn the on-field umpire’s call.
Weighing in on the dismissal, former India cricketers Wasim Jaffer, Parthiv Patel and RP Singh came out in favour of Kohli, not agreeing with the decision that ended his stay at the crease for zero. Jaffer criticised the decision openly, saying that although there was no conclusive evidence, common sense should have prevailed.
“That was bat first in my opinion. And I understand the ‘conclusive evidence’ part. But I think this was an instance where common sense should have prevailed. But as they say common sense is not so common. Feel for Virat Kohli,” Jaffer tweeted.
Former wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel credited New Zealand for turning things around as they restricted India from 80/0 to 81/3, but pointed out that the Kiwis reaped the reward of Kohli’s wicket. “#Kohli decision was definitely not out. Yes, NZ has made a terrific comeback in this session but they also benefited from ‘VIRAT’ LBW verdict,” tweeted Parthiv.
