Virat Kohli fell short To build on a promising beginning, as he was controversially removed by rookie Matthew Kuhnemann on Day 2 of the second Test match between Australia and India in New Delhi. As a spinner’s delivery slammed into his pads while Kohli was batting at 44, he appeared fairly at ease at the crease and boldly requested a review despite the umpire raising his finger. It was difficult to tell from the replays whether the ball had made contact with the bat or the pads. The on-field umpire’s ruling, however, was upheld by the third umpire.
When Kohli returned to the dressing room, he was spotted watching the replays on the TV and, like the coaches, was not very impressed. The right-hander did not, however, lose his composure or lose his cool. Kohli looked angry after the decision.
Kohli looked angry after being given out by the third umpire.#INDvAUS #ViratKohlišµ #Umpire pic.twitter.com/BZPo8G2WL4
— Junnu Ki TECH (@JunnuKi) February 18, 2023
As the hosts struggled to reach 179 for seven at tea, the star-studded Indian batting order was choked by Australian spinners led by the incomparable Nathan Lyon. With his 22nd five-wicket haul, Lyon (5/41 in 20 overs) spearheaded Australia’s comeback as the Indian hitters’ vulnerability to spin bowlers was once again exposed.
After the interval, all-rounders Axar Patel (batting no. 28) and Ravichandran Ashwin (batting no. 11) were attempting to stop the bleeding with a 40-run eighth-wicket partnership. India trailed Australia’s first innings total of 263 runs by 84 runs at tea.
In the post-lunch session, Virat Kohli (44 off 84 balls) and Ravindra Jadeja (26 off 74 balls) stabilised the innings by scoring 59 runs for the fifth wicket. However, Todd Murphy (1/37 in 14 overs), playing in his second Test, and left-arm spinner Matt Kuhnemann (1/64 in 20 overs), making his Test debut, quickly removed the pair, giving the visitors the upper hand.
