India skipper Virat Kohli’s use of the Decision Review System (DRS) as batsman in Test cricket has been nothing short of woeful. He got the DRS call wrong for the 9th successive time during the first innings of the third Test against South Africa in Ranchi on Saturday (October 19).
WATCH: Kohli bursts into laughter after Proteas’ proxy captain Bavuma fails to call it right at toss
In fact, the last time Kohli got a decision overturned as batsman in Tests was during India's drawn Test against Sri Lanka in November 2017.
Proteas speedster Anrich Nortje trapped Virat in front in the 16th over on Day 1 when the Indian captain was on 12. Without taking any time, umpire Nigel Llong raised his finger in favour of the bowler.
However, Kohli seemed confident that the ball would miss the leg-stump and thus he opted for a review. During the review process, the ball-tracker showed it would have clipped the leg-stump. Therefore, the decision stayed as umpire's call and Kohli had to take a long walk back to the pavilion.
Virat’s wicket reduced India to 39/9 in the first session. But the hosts bounced back and finished with 224/3 at stumps on Day 1, courtesy Rohit Sharma (117 not out) and Ajinkya Rahane’s brilliance.
Despite the top-order collapse, Rohit played positive cricket and notched up his sixth Test ton in 130 balls. It was his third century in this series in four innings as he totally justified his elevation as Test opener.
On the other hand, Rahane played second fiddle to Rohit. The Indian vice-captain was unbeaten on 83 when the first day’s play was called off due to rain.
