Virat Kohli out or not? Steve Smith upset over third umpire's call in Sydney Test

Amidst a stormy build-up to the fifth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, controversy erupted as early as the eighth over when Virat Kohli was adjudged not out by third umpire Joel Wilson in Sydney. The decision came after Australia claimed a catch off the very first delivery Kohli faced on Day 1 of this highly anticipated series decider. However, the verdict was overturned after the matter was referred to the third umpire.

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The incident began when Scott Boland delivered a ball in the good length area, generating extra bounce that unsettled Kohli. The Indian batter, unable to withdraw from the line of the delivery, edged the ball thickly. The ball appeared to carry towards second slip, where Steve Smith was stationed.

Also Read | Our captain Rohit Sharma has opted to 'rest', no selfishness in team: Jasprit Bumrah

Smith dived low to his right, attempting to get his fingers under the ball. While he managed to make contact, he was unable to secure the catch cleanly. Instead, the ball popped up, allowing Marnus Labuschagne, positioned at fourth slip, to complete the catch.

The Australian slip cordon erupted in appeal, with Smith visibly thrilled. However, the on-field umpires referred the decision to the third umpire for verification.

HOW THIRD UMPIRE JOEL WILSON MADE THE CALL

Joel Wilson, the third umpire, who has faced criticism for contentious decisions against Australia in the past, examined the replays. Initially, he appeared convinced that Smith had his fingers under the ball, but after reviewing multiple angles, he revised his conclusion.

Wilson’s final decision of not out was met with cheers from Indian fans at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

"I can see the fingers under the ball. Can you provide another angle to check if it touched the ground?" Wilson was heard saying via the broadcast microphone.

After further examination, he added: "I see the ball rolling on the ground. Do you have any other angle?

"Spotted. It’s rolling. I have that ball touching the ground.

"He has his fingers under it, but it’s rolled onto the ground.

"It’s touching the ground. I have a decision for the big screen."

As "Not Out" flashed on the big screen, Smith was visibly frustrated, shaking his head in disbelief.

On the replays the puff of sand probably added doubt. Maybe it was the fingers into the grass, while the catch was held. But minor doubt was there. Its always good to give Kohli not out. Helps fans like me who pay 170 AUD plus forex plus the trains to come here and watch his last... pic.twitter.com/WYYAuYQTCS — Kartik Kannan (@kartik_kannan) January 3, 2025

VIRAT KOHLI WAS OUT: JUSTIN LANGER AND MICHAEL VAUGHAN

Commentator Mark Nicholas described the on-field drama and highlighted the limitations of TV replays, which provide only a 2D perspective of 3D action. Nonetheless, he suggested that the decision was likely correct.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan, however, expressed his disagreement on Twitter, asserting that he believed it was out.

Former Australia coach Justin Langer said he believed the right decision wasn't made in that instance.

"From what I have seen there, that makes it more obvious to me that should have been out. Steve Smith had his fingers (underneath the ball), and you could see he was flicking the ball up, it was brilliant what he did," Langer told 7Cricket.

"He had his fingers under the ball, he flicked it up deliberately and in my opinion that’s out."

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For Virat Kohli, the reprieve came as a much-needed stroke of luck. The former Indian captain, aside from his century in Perth, had struggled throughout the series, scoring only 62 runs in the previous three Tests, including three single-digit scores.

Earlier in the day, Indian captain Rohit Sharma chose to 'rest himself' following a string of poor performances. In his absence, Jasprit Bumrah led the team.

India opted to bat first after winning the toss on an overcast morning on a pitch featuring a noticeable covering of grass. However, the Indian openers faltered early. KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal were dismissed cheaply by Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland, respectively.

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