A stumping appeal against Virat Kohli on Sunday in the second T20I between India and England was sent to the third umpire, but despite little evidence of his foot being behind the line when the bails were dislodged, the Indian captain was let off.
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The umpiring, especially a few calls from the third umpire, had been in focus in the Test matches. On Sunday, the controversy was sparked again when Kohli was adjudged not out for the stumping appeal in the 16th over.
Adil Rashid had beaten Kohli on the outside edge and even as the skipper tried to drag his foot back, Jos Buttler dislodged the bails. Multiple replays showed it was a really close call with little evidence of any part of Kohli’s foot being behind the line.
Law 30.1.1 on the MCC Laws of cricket states that “A batsman shall be considered to be out of his/her ground unless some part of his/her person or bat is grounded behind the popping crease at that end.” Based on evidence, Kohli seemingly had no part of himself behind the popping crease.
Looking out from this frame pic.twitter.com/HwqZAOgLtL
— Pushkar Pushp (@ppushp7) March 14, 2021
There were a few strong reactions on social media after the decision. While India needed just 22 runs from nearly five overs at the time, the decision appears suspect based on evidence.
Kohli in or out on that stumping?
LIVE: https://t.co/xq962EI6MV#INDvENG #ENGvIND— 🏏FlashScore Cricket Commentators (@FlashCric) March 14, 2021
ump was too scared to give Virat out… have seen this with MS as well… young umpires need to develop some courage… I gave that out without having to try that super zoom-in… there was nothing behind
— Kartikey Tomer (@kartikey_tomer) March 14, 2021
The ball wasn’t stokes had his foot well grounded on the line and as for Kohli’s stumping it’s a error of judgement since he didn’t use the stump camera and the leg side camera at the same time which would make things more clear! Not that these decisions would affect the result
— dailyjadyn29 (@dailyjadyn2906) March 14, 2021
Yet another nailed on stumping not being given by the third umpire in India. It was Virat Kohli there was no way they were going to give it.
— Chris Williams (@ChrisWPhysio) March 14, 2021
The third umpiring in this whole tour has been an absolute joke. What part of Kohli’s foot was behind the line for that stumping? Neutral umpires and we would of probably drawn the test series and be 2-0 up in the T20 series.
— Jim Dawson (@jimdawson_) March 14, 2021
Another 3rd umpire decision going against us yet again. Stumping was out, would of 100% been given the other way. King Kohli strikes again #bbccricket
— Daniel Gravestock (@DgravyDan) March 14, 2021
@robkey What sort of decision was that for the Kohli stumping.?!!!!! Exactly the reason why the 3rd ump should always be from a neutral country. As Nasser said on comms”who’s the batsman” 🙈🤡
— Oliver O’Rawe (@oliorawe74) March 14, 2021
Exactly the same thing happened in the test series with a stumping 🤷🏽♂️ they’re just scared to give it especially when it’s Kohli
— Zach (@zachtapper) March 14, 2021
Chat shit mate! Umpire thought not out so it was reviewed and technology came to right decision. The technology was there to help with the stumping, it showed no part of Kohli’s foot behind the line, yet given not out. Indian officials couldn’t possibly give Virat out!
— Daniel Clark (@DanClincs) March 14, 2021
