Team India skipper Virat Kohli made a comeback to India’s line-up for the ongoing second Test against New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Kohli, who was unavailable for the series opener in Kanpur, won the toss and elected to bat against the Black Caps, with the hosts making three changes.
While Kohli replaced Ajinkya Rahane, Jayant Yadav was picked in the playing XI for Ravindra Jadeja, and Mohammed Siraj replaced Ishant Sharma. Notably, all the three players –Ishant, Jadeja and Rahane missed out due to their injuries.
Openers Shubman Gill and Mayank Agarwal took India to a fine start as the pair added 80 runs for the first wicket. However, the home team lost momentum after New Zealand spinner Ajaz Patel took three wickets in quick succession by removing Gill (44), Cheteshwar Pujara (0) and Kohli (0).
Although Kohli’s dismissal took everyone by surprise, including the skipper himself and newly appointed coach Rahul Dravid, Kohli was given out LBW by the third umpire when there was a clear inside-edge.
It all happened during the 30th over of India’s first innings when Patel bowled a fullish ball, and Kohli pressed forward to play a defensive shot. The New Zealand fielders quickly went for an appeal and on-field umpire Anil Chaudhary gave the decision’s in the bowlers’ favour.
The Indian skipper immediately went for DRS, and the replay showed that there was a big inside edge, but it was difficult to determine whether the ball hit the bat first or pad. The TV umpire did not find any conclusive evidence to overturn the decision and, therefore, as per the process, the on-field umpire had to stay with his original decision, and Kohli was a goner.
Former India opener Wasim Jaffer reacted to the controversial decision and said there was bat first in his opinion and expected the third umpire to use common sense.
“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. #Unlucky #INDvNZ,” tweeted Jaffer.
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. #Unlucky #INDvNZ
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) December 3, 2021
Former India wicket-keeper Parthiv Patel felt Kohli was not out as he wrote: “#Kohli decision was definitely not out. Yes, NZ has made a terrific comeback in this session, but they also benefited from ‘VIRAT’LBW verdict. #INDvsNZTestSeries #NZvInd”
#Kohli decision was definitely not out. Yes, NZ has made a terrific comeback in this session but they also benefited from ‘VIRAT’LBW verdict. #INDvsNZTestSeries #NZvInd
— parthiv patel (@parthiv9) December 3, 2021
Veteran batter Abhinav Mukund also believed it was bat first, and Kohli shouldn’t have been given out.
Bat first-surely!!! #IndvsNZtest
— Abhinav Mukund (@mukundabhinav) December 3, 2021
