Virat Kohli Dismissal: Indian Fans Scream ‘Not Out’ On Twitter

Dec 16, 2018, 11:20 IST

Perth: Team India captain Virat Kohli was given out when he was on 123 in the Perth test in a controversial decision after slip fielder Handscomb claimed a clean catch. The on-field umpire, Nigel Long, gave a soft signal as out before referring it to the third umpire, who presumably did not have "conclusive evidence" demanded by the rules. Kohli battled difficult conditions on a bouncy pitch, scoring a magnificent century and becoming the second highest run-getter in a calendar year after Captain Graeme Smith of South Africa.

Former Australia captain Michael Clarke, analysing the proceedings as a commentator in the lunch break, described the century as Kohli's best. Clarke said that he had been fortunate to play against the likes of Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara. Kohli was right up there in the same league, Clarke added, sitting alongside former India opener and legend, Sunil Gavaskar and former England opener, Mark Butcher.

Twitterati however, were far from amused at the decision of the on-field umpire, as also the third umpire and they showed their displeasure in no uncertain terms:

#Kohli’s catch wasn’t clean. He was clearly not out. The entire system of soft signal is a lottery. Should be discarded asap. @ICC @BCCI

— Kunal Singh (@d_extrovert) December 16, 2018

This was definitely not a clean catch. Hard luck but well played Kohli. #KingKohli #INDvAUS

— Ashish Pande (@AshishPande74) December 16, 2018

That dismissal of Virat Kohli reminded me of @SGanguly99 controversial dismissal back in 2008 at Sydney when given out by Mark Benson caught by Clarke, when there is no such evidence of the clean catch @ICC #AusvIndia

— Tanveer Singh Hora (@imVeer_16) December 16, 2018

Appalling to see Kumar #Dharmasena giving soft signal in #Kohli catch. Even novice knows if doubtful benefit to batsman, and soft signal should have been NOT OUT Pathetic umpiring by so called best umpires. K L Rahul & Murli Vijay should should also be dropped #INDvsAUS #AUSvIND

— Mukesh Kumar Singh (@MukeshKsinghLaw) December 16, 2018

Kohli's catch wasn't clean at all. Since when did the benefit-of-doubt start going to the bowler/fielder? #INDvAUS

— Utsav (@utsavchaudhuri) December 16, 2018