New Zealand cricket legend Daniel Vettori says it’s time to discuss whether the third umpire needs assistance after Indian captain Virat Kohli‘s controversial dismissal.
Kohli was dismissed by New Zealand spinner Ajaz Patel and left the pitch without scoring after on-field official Anil Chaudhary’s LBW ruling was upheld by the third umpire.
Despite Kohli calling for a review, the decision to send the Indian captain from the pitch appeared controversial, with replays showing the ball may have hit the bat first.
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The decision left Kohli visibly upset as he swung his bat in frustration while walking from the field.
Former Indian cricketer Wasim Jaffer said it was the third umpire’s decision of inconclusive evidence to overturn the original ruling was “disappointing”.
“Even to the naked eye, it looked like bat first,” he told ESPN.
“To say it was inconclusive, I think it was the right call because It did seem as if it hit the bat first.
“Disappointing decision.”
https://twitter.com/robkey612/status/1466689679630245893?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1466689679630245893%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fd-3911828191328698279.ampproject.net%2F2111152338002%2Fframe.htmlhttps://twitter.com/MichaelVaughan/status/1466723807784275971
Meanwhile, Vettori, a former spinner of 113 Test matches for New Zealand, said Kohli’s example showed why the third umpire needs more assistance in the review booth.
“It was fairly obvious that he nicked it,” Vettori added.
“I was surprised we went through the rigmarole of going through it… this is a point that needs to be discussed, there needs to be some assistance for the third umpire there.
“For me, it seemed obvious there was an inside edge.
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“For one man to sit there and try and make such a crucial decision, maybe the match referee can step in.
“I think we’ve seen it happen too many times now where the third umpire gets it wrong and there’s no way to pull back.”