The First Test between Australia and India in Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 It continues with early drama overshadowing the morning session at Perth Stadium. Making a controversial third referee decision KL Rahul Commentators and fans left behind questioned the investigation process.
Controversial dismissal: KL Rahul’s disappointment
The incident happened in the 22nd over of India’s first innings Mitchell Starc. On the second delivery, an angle across a ball the right-handed Rahul caught by the keeper Alex Carey. Although the on-field umpire did not give it, Australia reviewed the decision, convinced that it was a weak edge.
After a look, Snicko spotted a spike that suggested contact as the ball went past Rahul. However, the replay only provided the side angle, which did not conclusively show that the bat had edged the ball or that the sound came from the bat brushing the pad. Despite the lack of a front-end angle to corroborate the evidence, the third umpire overturned his on-field decision by dismissing Rahul for 26-74 balls.
Rahul looked visibly upset as he walked back, shaking his head in disbelief at the decision.
The decision immediately sparked debate among commentators. Mark Nicholason the air, noted “I don’t see any compelling evidence to overturn the decision on the field.” His views were echoed by cricket legends and commentators Wasim Akram and Sanjay Manjrekarcriticizing the lack of comprehensive evidence supporting the decision.
Noting the inconsistency in the use of technology, Manjrekar said: “To be 100% sure, we need visual proof from both Snicko and the front. In this case, the benefit of the doubt should have remained in the dough.”
Akram added that in such situations, overturning the call on the field violates standard protocol. “Definitive proof.”
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Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood shine with the new ball
Australia used a controversial dismissal to tighten control of the match. India struggled against a fiery attack from the hosts, with Starc and Hazlewood creating havoc in the first session.
Starc, who was removed earlier Yashasvi Jaisval, finished the session with figures of 2/10, with Hazlewood matching him, dismissing Devdutt Padikkal and Virat Kohli. India were in deep trouble at 51/4 at lunch, with Rahul’s knock of 26 the only notable resistance.
India’s batting line-up looked uneasy with the pace-matching conditions at the Perth Stadium. The bounce and movement produced by Starc and Hazlewood tested the technique of the top order batters.
