'What the F@&* is this? This is a joke!' - Cricketers 'baffled' over KL Rahul's controversial DRS dismissal in Perth

Senior batter KL Rahul departed for 26 runs in the first Test against Australia in Perth. The 32-year-old looked in good touch early on and was slowly building a partnership with Rishabh Pant before a controversial decision sent him back to the pavilion. In the 23rd over, the Bengaluru-born cricketer was beaten by a short-pitch delivery but even upon a strong appeal from the Australian cricketers, the on-field umpire ruled him not-out.

Australian players were then seen having a conversation about using their second DRS even though Mitchell Starc did not look convinced. However, captain Pat Cummins decided to go upstairs. Interestingly, there was a spike in the Snicko metre when the ball was close to the bat. However, the third umpire didn’t opt for other angles and looked at it from the angle behind the stumps.

Also Read - WATCH: Extra bounce sends Virat Kohli back to pavilion against Australia in Perth Test

It didn’t result in a clear understanding as Rahul was convinced that the ball missed his bat. Instead, his bat went on to hit his pads and that resulted in the noise in the Snicko. The third umpire nevertheless didn’t ask for other angles and reversed the decision of the on-field umpire despite not having conclusive evidence. Rahul was left frustrated as he walked out of the ground. With Rahul’s dismissal, India were reduced to 47/4.

Slight edge, well Setteled KL Rahul gone.

Starc Striked, India four wickets down before 50.

IND 47-4

Follow for more. #BGT #AUSvIND #BGT2024 #INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/B0QVmzdzoQ

— Ahmed Sheikh (@AhmSheikhh) November 22, 2024

Earlier, Opener Yashavi Jaiswal and the returning Devdutt Padikkal failed to open their tally while Virat Kohli departed for five runs as Starc and Josh Hazlewood picked up two wickets each. Rishabh Pant has a massive responsibility now to bail the visitors out of trouble while Dhruv Jurel has an opportunity to establish his authority in the middle. Meanwhile, India registered 51/4 until Lunch on Day 1.

Here's what former cricketers said:

Looks like the third umpire is used to watching too many clips on fast forward 😉!! Was in a tearing hurry to give @klrahul out without going through enough camera angles.. #INDvAUS

— Varun Aaron (@VarunAaron) November 22, 2024

Such a big series and you don’t have all the DRS angles to make a correct decision ? Poor ! Rahul will be gutted. brilliant start & then undone by the lack of technology! Bat hit the pad & that’s where the spikes occur . #DRS #BorderGavaskarTrophy #AUSvsIND

— Shreevats goswami (@shreevats1) November 22, 2024

Am still trying to figure this...the claim was we have million cameras when the test match started & just when u need the other cameras they are conveniently unavailable for KL's decision..it was such a big spike for maybe a feather if there was any... surprising #justsaying

— Kartik Murali (@kartikmurali) November 22, 2024

Front on angle not available at the time of interception??? 😳
On-field umpire’s decision not-out. Was there conclusive evidence to overturn the decision? Bat hit the pad for sure…visible confirmation…then why not two spikes on the Ultra-Edge? Ridiculous umpiring from the box…

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) November 22, 2024

How a third umpire makes a decision without accessing all angles!! Poor!! Just Piss poor!! #BGT2025

— Robbie Uthappa (@robbieuthappa) November 22, 2024

What the F@&* is this decision???? This is a joke! #BGT2025

— Robbie Uthappa (@robbieuthappa) November 22, 2024

Oops! Got that wrong.#AUSvsIND

— Mpumelelo Mbangwa (@mmbangwa) November 22, 2024

KL Rahul is clearly Not out 💔.

Aussie Do what they can done only always Cheat Cheat Cheat Cheaters 🤬.#KLRahul #INDvAUS #BorderGavaskarTrophy #ViratKohli𓃵 #AUSvsIND pic.twitter.com/jV5Ssd6mMv

— Ajay Kaswan (@AjayKaswan32) November 22, 2024

Third umpire asked for another angle which wasn't provided. I'd assume he'd only ask for another angle if he wasn't sure. Then if he wasn't sure, why did he overturn the on field not out call? Poor use of technology and proper protocol not followed. KL hard done by. #AUSvIND

— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) November 22, 2024

Baffled by this strange decision
Once again over ruling on field decision without conclusive evidence
3rd umpire has to do a better job #INDvsAUS #KLRahul pic.twitter.com/cFUmmS0OB0

— Laxmi Ratan Shukla 🏏 (@Lshukla6) November 22, 2024