Captain Virat Kohli expressed his displeasure with the DRS after India’s four-wicket loss to Australia in Mohali on Sunday that leaves the five-match ODI series level at 2-2.
The incident occurred in the fourth ball of the 44th over of Australia’s reply. Yuzvendra Chahal bowled it wide of the off stump, batsman Ashton Turner chased it and missed. Rishabh Pant had whipped the bails off and the third umpire was first referred to for a stumping appeal, while the India wicketkeeper also coaxed Kohli to take the DRS, claiming there was an edge.
The appeal for stumping was turned down as Turner had grounded his back leg. As for the caught behind appeal, the UltraEdge did spot a spike but only after the ball passed the bat.
Turner was safe and he added a whirlwind 43 more to remain unbeaten on 84 off just 43 balls that helped Australia chase down the mammoth 359-run target, which was also their record run chase.
“The DRS call was a bit of a surprise for all of us and it’s becoming a more of a talking point every game. It’s just not consistent at all, as that was a game-changing moment.
“But yeah, that was more of an uncontrollable matter. We had to do the controllable right and we didn’t do that. The opportunities slipped away and so did the game,” Kohli said during the post-match presentation.
Despite his disappointment with the DRS, Kohli did admit that Pant’s missed stumping that gave Turner a reprieve in the same over was another crucial moment of the game.
“Yeah, it was crucial. We were sloppy in the field, we were not at our best and we should’ve grabbed our chances and made the most of the opportunity when it arrived.”
Inability to defend the huge total would hurt India and “hurt the right way” so that they buck up for the decider at the Kotla on Wednesday, Kohli stressed. “The decider is going to be cracker of a game. “We’ve had two eye-openers in two games. We can’t take anything for granted. We have to work hard.
“This loss is definitely going to hurt and hurt the right way. We got to come up with more intensity and passion in the next game to try and win the series,” the skipper said.
Elaborating on the game, Kohli rued being on the “wrong side” of the dew factor again, apart from lavishing praise on Turner for his match-winning knock and centurion Peter Handscomb, who got his maiden ODI hundred.
“The wicket remained good throughout the game. We have been on the wrong side of the dew twice in as many games, but that’s not an excuse. Especially when they (Australia) were five down, conceding 10 runs an over was a bit of a harsh pill to swallow.
“It was very difficult to bowl in the end. Guys tried their best, but Ashton played one hell of a knock. Handscomb played a really good knock too.”
To speak of Turner, he had reached the ground thinking he would be carrying drinks, just as he did in the previous game. But Marcus Stoinis failing the fitness test after incurring a thumb injury earned Turner a place in the XI and he ensured making the best use of it, winning the Man-of-the-Match award in just his second ODI.
“Really lost for words… Had turned up to the ground, and Stoinis was doing a fitness test. I thought I’d be running with the drinks, but in the last minute had to transition my mind from not playing to playing.
“I had a lot of opportunities to hit the ball and I made them count. Not every day you play this well as a team, though… It was a great game and we’re very fortunate to win it,” he said.
Turner also thanked former Australia opener Matthew Hayden for his advice. “Haydos has been great to me… Privileged to get my cap from him… Still feel nervous standing up and talking to him.”
