DRS, Aussies continue to haunt Virat

Subhash Rajta

Tribune News Service

Bengaluru, March 6

If Virat Kohli didn’t hate the DRS already, he’s very likely to post Monday. The Indian skipper has been quite inept in using the technology in this series, and he found himself at the receiving end yet again today. Adjudged leg-before off Josh Hazlewood, the Indian skipper immediately reviewed the decision, suggesting the ball had grazed the bottom of his bat before hitting his pads. The third umpire, however, could not find a conclusive proof  of the ball coming into contact with the bat before hitting the pads, and therefore the on-field umpire’s call prevailed.

The Indian skipper, who looked absolutely certain that he had hit the ball, was stunned by the decision. And he made no effort to conceal his surprise and disappointment as he trudged back to the pavilion. Interestingly, the team management, too, shares his sentiments over the decision. “We were all surprised a bit by the call,” said India’s batting coach Sanjay Bangar. “Was there a conclusive evidence to make that call, or there wasn’t? The match referee will look into and have a chat about it.”

Asked if this decision, coupled with the team’s handling of the system, had shaken their belief in the DRS, Bangar said things hadn’t gone to that extent yet. “We are new to DRS, and the rules have been tweaked a bit. The umpire’s call becomes really crucial. We haven’t really sat down and evaluated it. It is new to us, and we are learning with every game,” he said.

‘Virat didn’t hit it’

The visitors, however, are certain that the ball had hit the pads first. “Initially, I just heard a bit of wood, so I sort of pulled out of the appeal,” said Hazlewood. “But the guys behind and square of the wicket were pretty confident, and obviously it got given out. After looking at the reviews, you could see the ball touching the pad before the bat.”

Anyway, they are delighted that they have managed to keep the Indian skipper absolutely quiet so far in the series. “I think it’s hard work scoring runs on these wickets. So you just have to stick to your plans against him and we’ve been quite successful. All the bowlers have got him out once now. So, it’s good stuff moving forward,” he said.

Kohli’s repeated failure is hurting India but Bangar put up a brave face. “Virat has had a fantastic run. And if he has failed two-three times, we need to accept that too. He has a mindset to accept things quickly, and then he tries to learn from them. That is his greatness. I think in the matches to come, he will perform well,” Bangar said.