Virat Kohli’s dismal run in the series continues. In the second innings in Bangalore, the India captain couldn’t contribute much with the bat, getting out LBW to Josh Hazlewood for 15. However, this dismissal was nothing like the one in the first innings – where he strangely shouldered arms to a Nathan Lyon delivery to be caught plumb.
As has been the case with DRS and India this series, of course Kohli reviewed both decisions, unsuccessfully. However, the second innings was nothing like the first , this time Kohli could just be called unlucky, not hasty or misguided, in the DRS call.
Here’s how it went down:

It was as close as it could be: Hazlewood appealed for LBW. Nigel Llong gave it out. Kohli reviewed it immediately. Replays showed that there was some speculation over whether it was pad first or bat. The third umpire took a long time and a long look at the various angles. It was pitched outside off and was hitting the wickets, but the impact is ‘umpire’s call’. And the on field decision was out. “No conclusive evidence to say he hit it first,” said the third umpire. And the decision stayed. Several replays, deliberation and conclusive proof later, Kohli had to walk back disappointed.
The rules are clear: Without proper evidence, the on-field umpire’s decision stays, and Llong had already called it. The DRS review may not have gone India’s way, but the reviews out on social media were mixed. Lots of questions were raised, lots of logical justifications were offered, some accusations were made and then some jokes followed.
Benefit of the doubt goes to the Umpire #DRS #IndvsAus
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) March 6, 2017
It doesn't get much tighter than that! Kohli gone... #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/zYwgwmZz2J
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) March 6, 2017
The DRS protocol was followed down to the letter for the Kohli appeal. But was the right decision reached? #IndvAus
— Anand Vasu (@anandvasu) March 6, 2017
Thought it was pad first but only marginally. Also after watching 100 replays. Not sure how Llong got it so quickly on one view. #IndvAus
— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) March 6, 2017
You begin to wonder increasingly if the benefit of doubt is being awarded to the batsmen or to the umpires these days 😀 #INDvsAUS #DRS
— RK (@RK_sports) March 6, 2017
This "Umpire Calls" for pitching in line or hitting or not on DRS makes no sense. Technology is called in to eliminate all doubt
— Yusuf Unjhawala 🇮🇳 (@YusufDFI) March 6, 2017
Not happy with Kohli decision. Thought benefit of doubt was given to batsmen. What's point of DRS if it can't give you an answer? #INDvsAUS
— Harish Reddy (@harish_red) March 6, 2017
Not sure how Kohli can be disappointed with review. 3rd umpire searched for a reason to overturn longer than some police manhunts #INDvAUS
— Roger Oldridge (@roger_oldridge) March 6, 2017
Kohli dismissal is exactly what's wrong with umpire's call. Ask Llong if he would have given it out after the replays, he would've said no.
— Vinayakk (@vinayakkm) March 6, 2017
How in the world was virat kohli out there... smetmes the rules of modern day cricket baffle me ... #bcci #IndvAus #viratkohli
— Karan Wahi (@karan009wahi) March 6, 2017
DRS isn't fool proof but trust me it's the best possible system available in a generation that has dharmasena's n kulkarni's.
— Spidey #408 (@Pranay_Kohli) March 6, 2017
DRS by design is there to vindicate on field umpire's call. NOT to make the right decision. Sigh. #Kohli #INDvsAUS
— Vignesh (@vignesh_p) March 6, 2017
Maybe if India introduced the DRS sooner kohli wouldn't suck at reviewing. #INDvAUS #cricket
— Jeremy Cowin (@Jez_149) March 6, 2017
Meanwhile Virat Kohli to DRS:What's my Fault ?#INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/or2BajLMs6
— Sir Rohit Sharma (@SirRohitSharma_) March 6, 2017