The cricket world was abuzz with controversy during Day 1 of the fifth BGT Test between India and Australia in Sydney, where Virat Kohli’s dismissal by Steve Smith was overturned by the third umpire. Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting weighed in on the incident, calling it a “clear catch” and indicating that it was out, thus Kohli having a golden duck.
Virat Kohli’s luck, Steve Smith’s brilliance
Virat Kohli walked out to bat with India at a precarious 17/2, facing immense pressure to deliver. On the very first ball he faced from Scott Boland, Kohli edged a delivery towards the second slip, where Steve Smith lunged to his right in an attempt to grab the catch. The ball initially appeared to be caught cleanly, with Smith seemingly getting his fingers underneath it. However, as he tried to secure the ball, it popped up towards Marnus Labuschagne, who completed the catch.
Kohli chose to stand his ground, prompting the on-field umpires to refer the decision to the third umpire. After reviewing multiple replays, third umpire Joel Wilson deemed that the ball had touched the ground during Smith’s attempt to secure the catch, ruling Kohli not out under Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) Law 33. Smith, meanwhile, was adamant that he cleanly caught the ball.
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It was out, says Ricky Ponting
Speaking to the ICC, Ricky Ponting expressed his disagreement with the third umpire’s decision. “I was in the back of the (commentary) box as it happened, and from what I saw, and what I believe to be the interpretation of the rules, that seemed to be out to me,” Ponting said. He further elaborated that even if the ball may have brushed the ground, Smith’s index finger was still under the ball, which should have validated the catch. “The ball may have touched the ground. It may not have touched the ground, but the fact that his right index finger was still underneath the ball, I thought it was a clear catch,” Ponting added.
During the lunch break on Day 1, Steve Smith was asked about his thoughts on the catch. The former Australian captain confidently asserted that he had his fingers underneath the ball and believed it to be a legitimate catch. “I was 100% sure I got my hand under it. But, of course, the third umpire has made the decision, and we have to move on,” Smith stated.
Needless to say, Indian fans hoped that the lifeline might prompt Kohli to have his much-awaited great knock finally. He was looking in his element as well, leaving balls outside off-stump regularly. But after the lunch break, Kohli was gone. He played 69 balls and was out for 17 runs.
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