Team India got a brilliant start in the second Test match as the openers notched up an 80-run partnership for the first wicket. However, by the end of the second session, the Indian team had lost three of their crucial top-order wickets. While the first two wickets could be attributed to the skill of Kiwi spinner Ajaz Patel, the wicket of Virat Kohli was a blunder made by third umpire Virender Sharma.
The Indian openers provided the team a steady start as they did not give any chances to the Kiwi bowlers. However, Ajaz Patel turned the complexion of the second session with two wickets in two overs. A well-set Shubman Gill fell prey to an outside delivery while Pujara yorked himself. The wicket of Virat Kohli has become the talk of the town as third umpire Virender Sharma made a pretty bizarre call.
Third Umpire Virender Sharma makes a bizarre call
Virat Kohli came into bat after two quick wickets of Gill and Pujara and he could face only 3 deliveries before he was adjudged LBW by the on-field umpire Anil Chaudhary on the fourth ball. The Indian skipper challenged the call immediately as he was sure of an edge onto the pad. The decision was taken to third umpire Virender Sharma, who after looking at different angles asked Chaudhary to stick with the original decision.
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The decision was made by third umpire Virender Sharma on the grounds of inconclusive evidence; however, a deviation could clearly be seen before the ball hit the pads. The decision by the third umpire didn’t go down well with Kohli as he was clearly dejected. Even the on-air commentators and analysts were not happy with the controversial decision.
After the end of the second session, team India lost 3 wickets at a score of 111. The opener Mayank Agarwal and Shreyas Iyer are in the middle right now and are looking to build up a solid partnership after three back-to-back jolts in the form of Gill, Pujara, and Kohli.