SA v IND 2021-22: ‘They are feeling a little bit of pressure’, Lungi Ngidi on visitors’ angry reactions after DRS call

Virat Kohli and company accused that host broadcaster rigged DRS on stump mic.

Indian players were livid by this DRS call | TwitterSouth African pacer Lungi Ngidi on Thursday (January 13) hit out at the Indian players for showing their angry emotions after a controversial DRS call saved host skipper Dean Elgar.

According to Ngidi, the visitors were clearly "frustrated and under pressure", which resulted in such reactions on the field.  

Elgar was caught plumb by off-spinner R Ashwin in front of the stumps and umpire Marais Erasmus adjudged it out. However, the call was overturned with the ball tracker suggesting that the ball would have gone over the stumps.

The decision triggered a drama as the furious Indian players, including skipper Virat Kohli, his deputy KL Rahul and Ashwin, accused that host broadcaster Supersport TV rigged DRS. All their chatter was caught on the stump mic.

WATCH- Focus on your team as well- Virat Kohli pissed off after DRS gives Dean Elgar a life

"Reactions like that show a bit of frustration. And sometimes teams capitalise on that. You never really want to show too much emotion, but I guess we could see clearly right there that emotions were high," Ngidi said during the media interaction after the end of the third day's play.

A fuming Kohli vented out his frustration as he went up to the stumps and said: "Focus on your team as well when they shine the ball eh, not just the opposition. Trying to catch people all the time."

Ashwin was also caught saying: "You should find better ways to win Supersport", while Rahul was heard commenting: "Whole country playing against XI guys."

Ngidi said Kohli and his men were rattled after the DRS incident.

"That probably tells us that maybe they are feeling a little bit of pressure. That was a good partnership for us as well. So they really wanted to break that partnership.

"Those feelings ended up showing there. But at the end of the day, I think everyone reacts differently to certain situations and probably what we saw there, probably how those guys were feeling at the time."

Backing the DRS system, Ngidi further said: "Yes (we trust DRS). I mean, we've seen it on numerous occasions being used all around the world. It's a system in place and that's used in cricket."

Chasing 212 to win, the Proteas were 101/2 at the close of play on Day 3. While Elgar fell at the stroke of stumps after scoring 30, Keegan Petersen was still unbeaten in the middle on 48.

The hosts need 111 more runs to clinch the series 2-1 and they have eight wickets in hand heading into the penultimate day of the Cape Town Test.

"I think everyone's still in the game to be honest with you. If we would have a 60-run partnership upfront tomorrow morning that puts us in a good position.

"But if they take a wicket then the balance shifts to them. So I think it's perfectly poised at the moment. Tomorrow's morning session is going to be really important."

"We all know batting in South Africa is not easy. It's going to be tough, but I think the team that does the best will come out on top," he added.

Talking about the pitch, he said: "I think the ball is doing something the entire Test series. There're patches on the wicket where if you hit it, it does something more than others."

"But all in all, I think we could see with patience, guys can get to score hundred out there. There's been two 70s already.

"With the right application, there are runs on the wicket. But that's not to say as a bowler if you hit the right areas you get wicket as well. So it's a good cricketing wicket. Everyone's in the game. It's pretty evenly matched in my opinion."

(With PTI inputs)

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 14 Jan, 2022

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