“In the end, the decision was right”, Nathan Lyon opens up on Virat Kohli’s LBW dismissal in the second test match between Indian and Australia in New Delhi

The loss of Virat Kohli is always noteworthy. That’s due to two factors. The primary reason is the significance we place on it. With his standing in international cricket, his presence is always valuable. Day 2 of India vs Australia second test match in Delhi was perhaps the most crucial of the match, as Virat Kohli looked in dazzling form and was all that stood between Australia and a commanding first-innings lead. To add insult to injury, any cricket fan will be sad to see Kohli’s theatrics after he’s been removed or his displeasure with the umpire’s call.

Because of these two causes, his expulsion on Saturday became the first truly contentious moment, if we can even call it that, in an otherwise brilliant Border-Gavaskar Trophy match between India and Australia.

Virat Kohli was struck in the pads during the second session by a ball from rookie Matthew Kuhnemann. On-field umpire Nitin Menon sent out the former captain of India. Suggesting he may have an advantage, he promptly sought a review. As Kohli was at the crease, he often questioned KS Bharat about whether or not the ball was moving towards the leg side. The two concerns he had turned out to be justified.

The ball seemed to strike both his shin guard and his bat at the same time on the replays. On the field, he was called out, and even though the third umpire, Richard Illingworth, later determined that the ball had really struck his bat, he could not change the call. After the call from the on-field official, he requested ball-tracking. The tracker revealed that the ball would have just nicked the leg stump in that situation as well.

The third umpire agreed with the on-field umpire’s decision and instructed Menon to send Kohli back to the pavilion for 44, where he was seen storming out in a rage. Indeed, he wasn’t even somewhat persuaded. Back in the locker room, Kohli continued to examine the footage of his dismissal and voice his disappointment.

Star Sports analysts were divided by the occurrence. That was a tight decision that might have gone anyway, but former Australian batsman Mark Waugh remarked, “nine out of 10 times, it would have been not out.”

The “correct choice was taken,” according to Nathan Lyon, who bowled excellently, claiming the first four Indian wickets in the morning session and then returning to remove Bharat to complete his 22nd five-wicket haul.

“I think the right decision was made. No doubt Virat would be saying that (he hit it) and it probably should have gone his way. Hats off to the umpires. It’s tough in these conditions. We bowlers are trying to put pressure on them to get the decision in our favour. In the end, the decision was right,” the off-spinner on Star Sports after the close of the second day’s play.