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The first Test between Australia and India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 is underway at the Perth Stadium, with early drama overshadowing the morning session. A controversial third umpire decision to give KL Rahul out caught behind left commentators and fans alike questioning the review process.
The controversial dismissal: KL Rahul’s frustration
The incident took place in the 22nd over of India’s first innings, bowled by Mitchell Starc. On the second delivery, a ball angled across the right-handed Rahul was caught by wicketkeeper Alex Carey. While the on-field umpire gave it not out, Australia reviewed the decision, convinced there was a faint edge.
Upon review, Snicko detected a spike, suggesting contact as the ball passed Rahul. However, the replay only provided a side-on angle, which didn’t conclusively show if the bat had edged the ball or if the noise came from the bat brushing the pad. Despite the absence of a front-on angle to corroborate the evidence, the third umpire overturned the on-field decision, declaring Rahul out for 26 off 74 balls.
Rahul was visibly upset as he walked back, shaking his head in disbelief at the ruling.
Commentators question third umpire’s decision
The decision immediately sparked a debate among commentators. Mark Nicholas, on air, remarked, “I don’t see any conclusive evidence to overturn the on-field decision.” His sentiment was echoed by cricket legends and commentators Wasim Akram and Sanjay Manjrekar, who criticized the lack of thorough evidence supporting the decision.
Manjrekar pointed out the inconsistency in the use of technology, saying, “You need both Snicko and visual evidence from the front-on angle to be 100% certain. In this case, the benefit of doubt should have stayed with the batter.”
Akram added that overturning the on-field call in such situations undermines the standard protocol of relying on “conclusive evidence.”
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Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood shine with the new ball
Australia capitalized on the contentious dismissal to tighten their grip on the match. India struggled against the hosts’ fiery pace attack, with Starc andHazlewood wreaking havoc in the first session.
Starc, who had earlier removed Yashasvi Jaiswal, ended the session with figures of 2/10, while Hazlewood matched him, dismissing Devdutt Padikkal and Virat Kohli. At lunch, India found themselves in deep trouble at 51/4, with Rahul’s gritty knock of 26 being the only notable resistance.
India’s batting lineup seemed unsettled by the pace-friendly conditions at the Perth Stadium. The bounce and movement extracted by Starc and Hazlewood tested the technique of the top-order batters.
Also WATCH: Josh Hazlewood perfectly sets up Virat Kohli’s wicket on Day 1 of the AUS vs IND Perth Test
