Virat Kohli's contentious dismissal was the biggest talking point of the high-scoring thriller between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the Eden Gardens on Sunday (April 21).
When Kohli was batting on 18 off 6 balls, he was caught and bowled by Harshit Rana, who got the prized scalp with a full-toss that initially appeared to have gone above the waist-line. The RCB star was calling for a no-ball, but it was not given and the third umpire also did not give it a no-ball and adjudged Virat out.
Replays suggested that the ball would have been below waist-high at the popping crease. However, when Kohli, who was well ahead of the popping crease, hit the ball, it appeared above his waist.
After being declared out, Virat Kohli had a heated exchange with the on-field umpires before making his way back to the pavilion. His dismissal also divided opinions among the cricket fraternity members.
Following the match, RCB pacer Reece Topley described the whole episode as "a grey area" in cricket and called for more clarity in rules.
"Obviously, those measurements are brought in to get rid of a grey area, and then you have something today that no one had thought of," said Topley, who was not a part of RCB’s playing XI against KKR.
"He (Kohli) was obviously out of his crease and the ball was over his hip high, then obviously he was out of his crease down the wicket.
"The measurement was taken with Virat inside the crease so it's a bit of a grey area. Obviously, it's fine margin and would be spoken about in a game where the victory margin is just one run.
"We are going to be disappointed. There is going to be two different mood, different feelings about that dismissal. It's just a grey area," he added.
Asked whether they have accepted the dismissal, Topley replied: "I can throw this back to you saying what was your opinion. It's tough...two people can have two different opinions. In our camp, we feel like its a grey area, like uncharted territory, so probably you need more clarifications in the rules."
Coming to the match, RCB suffered a heartbreaking one-run defeat at the hands of KKR while chasing the target of 223.
This was RCB’s seventh loss in eight games this season. They are still placed at the bottom of the 10-team points table and their playoff chances seem all but over.
"It's not absolute. We go about every game like we are going to win it and try the best of ourselves. We can finish with seven games and look back and say it was a respectful campaign," Topley remarked.
"Losing two set batters wasn't ideal. Rajat and Jacks played so well and gave us a chance and Karn Sharma hit some sixes in the end. It was such a beautiful game. That's such high standard of cricket," he stated.
On the other hand, KKR seamer Nitish Rana, who took the return catch to dismiss Kohli, refrained from commenting on the controversial decision.
“It was the umpire's decision. What can we say about that?” Rana said.
Asked whether he had any special plan for Kohli, Rana said: "Plans are there for every batter. Nothing special for Virat bhaiya. My focus was only on my bowling.”
(With PTI Inputs)
