Renowned cricket analyst Aakash Chopra has stated his opinion that Virat Kohli’s dismissal was correct. This was during RCB’s match against KKR in IPL 2024. The Royal Challengers Bengaluru team faced defeat against Kolkata Knight Riders.
KKR set RCB a goal of 223 runs in Kolkata on Sunday, April 21. Virat Kohli was caught and bowled after a full ball that he met over his waist while standing well outside the crease during the chase. The visitors finally lost the game by one run, therefore knocking them out of the competition.
In a YouTube video on RCB’s chase, Chopra stated that Kohli was rightly ruled out.
“Was Virat Kohli out? The debate is whether it was right or wrong based on the existing laws. Kohli was out according to the current laws. It seemed not out with the naked eye but nothing happens with the naked eye. He was out based on laws and existing technology.”
Aakash Chopra
The former India opener pointed out that if the RCB opener had been standing erect at the exact crease, the ball would have been below his waist, making it a legal delivery under existing regulations.
“Every player’s height and the distance from the ground to their waist have been measured. So there is no ambiguity now. There is no gray area. Cricket has some laws. Your height till your head and waist are considered while standing upright at the crease.”
“With the naked eye, it seemed like it was not out but it was a slower one, Kohli was standing outside and the point of impact was even further away. The ball had to travel from there till the crease. Ball trajectory is quite accurate and it showed that it would have been below his waist height if he had been standing at the crease and that’s where it stops.”
Aakash Chopra
Kohli smashed sixes and fours. He scored 18 off 7 balls. His blistering start helped RCB. But they lost wickets soon. They were 35/2 as du Plessis departed after Kohli.
“Where there is a will, there is a way” – Aakash Chopra lauds RCB’s Will Jacks
Aakash Chopra applauded Will Jacks and Rajat Patidar. Their partnership at third wicket was electrifying. It garnered 102 runs off just 23 balls.
“Will Jacks is a quality player. I was surprised that he wasn’t made to bowl. However, he batted incredibly well. Where there is a will, there is a way. Rajat Patidar also joined the party along with him. Both of them scored good runs but then a collapse.”
Aakash Chopra
The former KKR player pointed out that RCB lost a flurry of wickets when they appeared to be on their way to an easy victory, and Dinesh Karthik was also unable to lead them over the finish line.
“It seemed at one stage that you would walk to a victory, but suddenly Will Jacks, Rajat Patidar and Mahipal Lomror got out, and you asked Dinesh Karthik to save you again. This time DK couldn’t save you.”
Aakash Chopra
Karthik was removed for an 18-ball 25 on the last ball of the last over. Despite Karn Sharma hitting three sixes in Mitchell Starc’s penultimate over, the three-time IPL champions came painfully short in the end.