Virat Kohli's controversial first-ball survival sparks debate at SCG

A contentious third-umpire decision has created a stir early in the fifth Border-Gavaskar Test between India and Australia, as Virat Kohli survived a first-ball dismissal on the opening day at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). 

Kohli, walking in at 17/2, faced a delivery from Scott Boland and appeared to edge the ball toward Steve Smith at second slip. Smith, diving low to his right, seemed to catch the ball before it was redirected to Marnus Labuschagne, who held on to it. However, Kohli stood his ground, and the on-field umpire referred the decision to the third umpire.

After reviewing the replays, third umpire Joel Wilson concluded that the ball had touched the ground while Smith was attempting to make the catch. According to the third umpire’s interpretation of MCC Law 33, this meant the catch was not valid, and Kohli was allowed to continue his innings.

The decision has been met with mixed reactions within the cricket community. Former Test umpire Simon Taufel explained the difficulty of the review process on Channel 7’s coverage, stating that the evidence from the various replay angles wasn’t conclusive enough to make a clear decision. “Depending on which side of the fence you sit on, you could build a case for either decision,” he said. “The third umpire believed he saw the ball touch the ground, and based on that, he made his call.”

Despite Taufel’s explanation, others, including former players and broadcasters, disagreed with the third umpire’s decision. Australian skipper Steve Smith, who was involved in the catch, was confident that the catch was legitimate. “100% the catch was fair,” Smith told Fox Cricket during the lunch break. “No denying it whatsoever. But the umpire’s made the decision and we will move on.”

Former players like Mark Waugh and Michael Vaughan also weighed in, suggesting that Smith had indeed taken a fair catch. Waugh said, “It would’ve been a great catch…I think it was (fair)…he (Smith) is not happy,” while Vaughan believed Kohli had been fortunate to survive. “Australia should have had their third wicket,” Vaughan stated.

On the other hand, former India player Irfan Pathan and commentator Mark Nicholas supported the third umpire’s decision, agreeing that the ball may have touched the ground and the right call was made.

Kohli, who remained not out at the lunch break, was eventually dismissed early in the second session of day one, edging another Boland delivery to Beau Webster at third slip.

Later in the day, another controversial decision arose when Washington Sundar was given out caught behind off Pat Cummins. Initially ruled not out by the on-field umpire, a third-umpire review showed the ball had deflected off Sundar’s glove, and he was subsequently given out. 

As the day progressed, these two incidents became talking points, adding to the ongoing drama and tension in the fifth Test between India and Australia.