Virat Kohli takes DRS without consulting MS Dhoni, gets review wrong

Former India skipper MS Dhoni has time and again proved why he is one of the best readers of the game. Although Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are widely regarded as the future of Indian cricket team, it seems that they are almost directionless without the guidance of Dhoni. The issue came to the fore again during India’s ODI opener against South Africa, when the duo decided to go for a review without consulting Dhoni and got it wrong.

The incident occurred in the 36th over. With South Africa struggling at 169/5, Kohli was looking to wrap things up fast when Jasprit Bumrah’s attempted yorker breezed past Chris Morris’ legs. The over-excited pair of Kohli and Rohit came to the middle with a loud appeal. It looked like an edge initially with a sound confusing everyone furthermore.

After Dhoni’s facial reaction, which clearly had ‘close shave’ written all over it, pretty much assured the viewers it was not out, as the umpire confidently signaled a wide ball. However, the duo of Rohit and Kohli discussed with each other and decided to disregard their ex-skipper’s hunch, who has a record of almost never getting things wrong from behind the stumps, and went for a review.

Later, UltraEdge showed that there was no contact with the willow whatsoever as the ball whizzed past Morris’ bat and legs. It was a cheap waste of review if not anything else.

You can see the video below

Dhoni even faster than the umpire

Earlier last year, when Sri Lanka toured India, Dhoni gave a classic example that he posses the best eye and cricketing brain. He saved an important wicket for India after he took a DRS review even before the umpire could raise his finger to give the decision of out. His ability to read the game, pitch and the batsman’s mind have helped India tremendously on numerous occasions. And in the ongoing Proteas series, he did an encore.