Steve Smith Sure Of Virat Kohli's Catch, Debate Rages In Cricket Community
The fifth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy is being played at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). In the ongoing Test, India won the toss and opted to bat first. The thing that has become a heated topic of discussion is Virat Kohli's catch in the ongoing Test match. The Australian star batter Steve Smith believes that Virat Kohli was caught out because his hand was under the ball. Many different opinions are coming out from the cricket world about this topic. Yashasvi Jaiswal was dismissed by Scott Boland; the fast bowler was about to take his second wicket in a row when his ball hit the outside edge of Kohli's bat, and Smith dived to his right in the second slip and caught the catch. However, Smith tossed the ball in the air after losing balance, which was caught by Marnus Labuschagne standing in the gully.
TV umpire Joel Wilson looked at various camera angles, declaring Kohli not out. Speaking to broadcaster Fox Sports during the lunch break, Smith was adamant that he had caught the catch clearly, and that cannot be denied. But the umpire has given the verdict, and now we move on.
Former Australia fast bowler Glenn McGrath said on ABC Sport that it was a 50/50 decision, but he thought Kohli got out. As a cricketer, we all feel like he's out; the ball never really hit the ground. If I'm batting, I'm probably happy to get out of there, but I'm also happy to be there (with him).
Speaking on Fox Sports, former England skipper Michael Vaughan also called Kohli out. As a batsman, you need a bit of luck, and I think Virat Kohli got lucky (on his first ball). I think he got out. Australia should have gotten their third wicket.
Australia women's team captain Alyssa Healy also expressed similar views. It's a tricky job, because if you see it in live motion, it looks on the outside—and Steve Smith clearly felt like he had his hand underneath it too. But the rules that they have in modern times, if (it seems) that a small piece of the ball is on the ground, the umpire has to say it's not out.
Former Australia opener and coach Justin Langer on Channel Seven said that, according to him, Kohli was also out. His fingers were under the ball. I felt like he instinctively wanted to bounce the ball straight upwards. According to me, the finger was still under the ball. It should have been a great catch for Australia.