There was a controversial moment surrounding opening session of the 1st Test between India and Australia at Perth. KL Rahul who was the most trustful batsman for India during this session got out in a way people who watched cricket matches and cricket professionals alike question the decision of the third empire who used DRS.
KL Rahul’s Dismissal: What Happened?
In the 23rd over of India’s innings, Mitchell Starc bowled a ball that seemed to be edged by KL Rahul into the gloves of wicketkeeper Alex Carey. The decision by the on-field umpire was that it was not out, but Australia reviewing it.
Snicko showed a spike when the ball passed the bat on DRS, but replays were inconclusive.
- The bat hit the pad, which could have caused the spike.
- No conclusive evidence confirmed that the ball hit the bat.
Despite this, the third umpire overturned the on-field decision, leaving KL Rahul visibly upset.
Reactions to the Decision
KL Rahul’s Reaction
Rahul was visibly frustrated and argued his case with the on-field umpire, pointing out the apparent gap between the bat and the ball. However, he had no choice but to leave the field after scoring 26 runs off 74 balls.
Experts and Fans Criticize Umpiring
Prominent cricketers and commentators criticized the decision:
| Expert | Comment |
|---|---|
| Ravi Shastri | “There wasn’t enough evidence to overturn the on-field call.” |
| Aakash Chopra | “Why wasn’t a front-on angle used? Poor umpiring from the third umpire.” |
| Robin Uthappa | “Without all angles, how can a decision be made? Piss poor!” |
| Sanjay Manjrekar | “The on-field call should’ve stood. There was no conclusive evidence.” |
You don't have to rush a decision when you have so many angles to review. Especially if you are overturning the on-field umpire's call.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) November 22, 2024
What the F@&* is this decision???? This is a joke! #BGT2025
— Robbie Uthappa (@robbieuthappa) November 22, 2024
Front on angle not available at the time of interception??? 😳
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) November 22, 2024
On-field umpire’s decision not-out. Was there conclusive evidence to overturn the decision? Bat hit the pad for sure…visible confirmation…then why not two spikes on the Ultra-Edge? Ridiculous umpiring from the box…
Am still trying to figure this…the claim was we have million cameras when the test match started & just when u need the other cameras they are conveniently unavailable for KL's decision..it was such a big spike for maybe a feather if there was any… surprising #justsaying
— Kartik Murali (@kartikmurali) November 22, 2024
Hotspot Technology in Cricket: Could It Have Helped in KL Rahul’s Dismissal?
The KL Rahul dismissal controversy in the Perth Test raises questions about the role of advanced technologies in cricket umpiring. One such technology that could have potentially clarified the situation is Hotspot.
Michael Hussey’s Take
Hussey questioned the timing of the Snicko spike, suggesting doubt about whether it originated from the ball hitting the bat or the bat hitting the pad.
Australia’s pace duo, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, dismantled India’s batting lineup, taking two wickets each.
During the 1st Test match at Perth India chose to bat after winning the toss but were all out for 150 runs from 49.4 overs in 1st inning.
The controversy that surrounds dismissal by KL Rahul brings out the importance of maintaining consistency and accuracy in the use of DRS technology. As time goes by in this game, fans and experts alike will be keen to follow up on the result that follows this decision.
