Debasis Sen, Perth: A bilateral series involving India and Australia cannot be devoid of controversies, as was the case here in Perth stadium on the third day of the second test match. Peter Handscomb was involved in a controversial catch which dismissed Virat Kohli on Sunday, bringing back memories of controversial moment in the infamous Monkeygate Test in 2008 where Michael Clarke claimed a low catch off Sourav Ganguly at a critical point in the final innings. Former Australian Captain Ricky Ponting on that ocassion famously gave umpires a soft signal of out, and under a captain’s agreement, Ganguly was given out. 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. Kohli was steering India to a position of strength before the unfortunate decision cut short his innings. He was batting on 123 with the score on 252/7. The incident is set to be a major talking point of the day and has already divided opinion. Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting on Channel 7 said he believed Handscomb had taken a fair catch. "He's confident he got his hands underneath the ball, no conclusive evidence to overturn the soft signal out," Ponting said on Channel Seven. Another former Aussie cricketer Mike Hussey, speaking on Fox Sports was not sure of the dismissal. "I think he did manage to get his fingers underneath the ball," Hussey said. But he questioned if "some part of the ball was probably touching the ground" due to how far apart Handscomb's fingers were. Shaun Marsh said the Australians were "pretty confident" Kohli would be given out. The decision clearly made the Indian captain unhappy as he refused to acknowledge the crowd walking back the dressing room. The Indian captain threw his gloves down in disdain as he crossed the boundary rope and looked back several times at the on-field umpires to make clear his displeasure.

Kohli dismissal sparks controversy at Perth Stadium