XtraTime Web Desk: India skipper Virat Kohli played a magical knock on Sunday to score 123 runs in the first innings of the second Test at Optus Stadium before getting out on a controversial decision. Peter Handscomb was involved in a controversial catch which dismissed Virat Kohli on Sunday.
Handscomb fielding at second slip – was adamant he had taken a legitimate catch, having claimed the ball in his fingertips after Kohli had edged Pat Cummins just before lunch on day three at Optus Stadium.
After several replays, video umpire Nigel Llong gave Kohli out after not finding conclusive evidence to overturn the on-field soft signal of out given by officiating umpire Kumar Dharmasena.
Renowned Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan feels that Kohli wasn’t out and that the catch wasn’t clean. Moreover, he also slammed the Decision Review System (DRS) and mentioned the technology as something toothless.
“He took to Twitter and wrote, “T 3029 – … and Virat KOHLI you were NOT OUT .. !! NOT OUT !! .. DRS = दिशाहीन रूहानी संकेत = dishaheen roohaanee sanket !!,”
T 3029 – … and Virat KOHLI you were NOT OUT .. !! NOT OUT !! ..
DRS = दिशाहीन रूहानी संकेत = dishaheen roohaanee sanket !!
????????????????????????— Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) December 16, 2018
Indian cricketers too were surprised with the on field decision of the umpire as well.
“We were a little surprised by the on-field call but now that it’s been done means it’s been done. We will move forward with the game. That’s about it,” said Bumrah when asked about the controversial decision.
Talking about Kohli’s knock, Bumrah said, “Obviously, we were in a bit of bother at the start (of the day), and then the way he played, the way he carried his whole innings was infectious.
“He has been doing all the time and he is an inspiring leader. He leads from the front. So, it’s a good thing for the team and hopefully he will keep doing it in future as well.”
On the other hand Aussie star spinner Nathan Lyon looked confident that it was a clean catch taken by Handscomb.
“I wasn’t sure about the conversation between the umpires but we thought it was out. The conversation was it’s a good catch,” said Lyon.
Opener Aaron Finch had retired hurt after being hit on his finger by Mohammed Shami in the 13th over. Scans later cleared him of any serious damage on his right hand’s index finger.
Lying said Finch had been cleared, but was unsure if he would bat again in the second innings.
The spinner had taken 5-67 in the Indian innings, his seventh five-wicket haul against this opposition in Test cricket.
When asked if India had made a mistake in not playing a full-time spinner, Lyon replied, “yes!”
“I thought we were well off in the first innings of this game, so to bowl India out for 283 was a pretty good effort especially when you’ve got someone who scores a big hundred.
“So it gives us a lot of confidence that we weren’t at our best and we were able to take 10 wickets for 280,” he added.