Another controversy embroiled the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 as Virat Kohli was given out off a high full toss. In Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) home clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Harshit Rana bowled a slower one that Kohli failed to pick and was caught by the bowler. He was given out by the on-field umpires and chose to review. Like Andre Russell in the first innings’ Kohli was confident that the decision will be reversed but he was in for an unpleasant surprise.
The third umpire checked the delivery and it was declared legitimate. Kohli was left fuming and so was his opening partner Faf du Plessis. Kohli had an animated conversation with the on-field umpires before reluctantly leaving the field with anger. He smashed his bat and then threw his gloves in anger. However, was Kohli’s reaction justified?
Rule, technology favours the umpires
At first glance it looked like it was a no ball. However, the new technology suggested otherwise. Before the season, during the photoshoot, all players’ waist height was noted to avoid confusion later on. Also, Kohli was standing outside the crease. The impact in smart replay was taken had he played it from the crease. The third umpire considered it a fair delivery as the ball-tracking technology showed that the ball would have dipped to 0.92 metre, lower than Kohli's waist that is 1.04 metre.
While the decision is full-proof and well within the rules, there are gray areas in the rule and Kohli played it fairly above his waist before it ballooned up in the air.
Kohli gets support off-the-ground
In the commentary box, former Indian opener Navjot Singh Sidhu said that Kohli was not out. Kohli’s former RCB teammate AB de Villiers was not happy with the decision either.
“Grey areas in the game open up room for anger and confusion. It’s not a tough fix this. Get the batter’s stance, draw the lines and use ball tracking. No confusion whatsoever,” De Villiers who was not happy with the wide rulings wrote on X a few minutes after the dismissal.
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