'How was that Out?' - Twitter fumes at third umpire Virender Sharma for adjudging Virat Kohli LBW in Mumbai

The ongoing Test match between India and New Zealand in Mumbai has witnessed controversy on the opening day itself. India skipper Virat Kohli was adjudged leg before wicket by the third umpire stating that there was no conclusive evidence to overturn the on-field decision which was out. However, in the real time and without the use  snickometer, it was clearly visible that the ball had hit the bat first.

The incident took place in the 30th over of the day when Ajaz Patel was on the top of his mark having picked up two wickets in quick succession. Earlier in the over, he had dismissed Cheteshwar Pujara for a five-ball duck and suddenly the hosts were in need of a partnership.

Captain Virat Kohli strode out to the middle having rested for the first Test and the preceding T20I series. The last ball of the 30th over was fullish in length to which Kohli pressed forward to push. But the ball hit the pads and a vociferous appeal followed which the umpire upheld. However, Kohli was confident of hitting the ball and went for review immediately.

Unhappy Kohli walks back

In the replays, it seemed as if the ball had deflected onto the pads after hitting the bat first. But the real twist arrived when the snickometer came into play. The ball was close to bat and pad both when the flat line was disturbed and this is where the third umpire felt there is no conclusive evidence to conclude that the ball had hit the bat first.

The ball was always going to hit the stumps on ball tracking and the decision of the on-field umpire was upheld. Virat Kohli was stunned after the decision was made and also discussed the matter with the umpires before walking away. He seemed clearly unhappy with the decision as without snickometer, one felt that the ball had hit the bat first.

Rather, the batter knew from the outset that he had hit the ball and for the same reason, Kohli confidently went for the review. Unfortunately, he had to walk back and the fans at the Wankhede stadium weren’t happy at all with the decision. Twitter also fumed at the third umpire calling it a poor decision.

Here’s how Twitter reacted: