Indian Test skipper, Virat Kohli, came under fire for expressing anger at South African broadcaster, SuperSport, after South African player Dean Elgar was reprieved in a review decision.
Not just Kohli but several other Indian cricketers including Ravi Chandran Ashwin and KL Rahul voiced rage against the host broadcaster after a review decision went against India. The incident happened on the third day of the final test in Cape Town.
In the 21st over of the innings, South Africa chased 212 runs to win the series at 60-1 when R Ashwin hit Dean Elgar on the pads. The on-field umpire, Marais Erasmus, gave out (lbw) to Elgar. The decision was overturned on review decision through ball-tracking showing the ball going over the stumps.
The ball-tracking technology is approved by HawkEye, an independent body that relays the data to the host broadcaster.
Upset by the decision, Virat Kohli walked straight up to the stumps and spoke into the mic, saying, “Focus on your team while they shine the ball. Not just the opposition. Trying to catch people all the time.”
Virat Kohli walked up to the stumps and said: "Focus on your team as well and not just the opposition. Always trying to catch people". Virat Kohli speaking right into the stump mic indicating that the DRS is definitely rigged to favour South Africa. #INDvsSA #ViratKohli pic.twitter.com/oGF13DeGoZ
— Avish Sidhwani (@SidhwaniAvish) January 14, 2022
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KL Rahul was immediately heard saying, “It’s the whole country against 11 guys.” While Ashwin directly targeted the broadcaster when he said, “You should find better ways to win, SuperSport.”
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Indian bowling coach, Paras Mhambrey, seemed upset with the decision. In the press conference, he said, “We saw it, you saw it. I’ll leave that for the match referee to have a look at it. There’s nothing I can comment on it now. We’ve seen it all, just want to move on with the game now.”
He was asked if Indian players think the broadcasters were manipulating the images. Mhambrey said, “Every individual out here is trying his best. Sometimes in a moment like this, people do say certain things. It’s a game. I think it’s fair we just move on. Everyone is trying their best. Emotions do come into play sometimes.”
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On Twitter, the video of Virat Kohli speaking on the mic against South Africa has been making rounds on social media. The cricket fans are not happy with the behavior of Virat Kohli. According to them, being a sportsman Indian Test skipper showed a lack of spirit.