Virat Kohli playfully mocked umpire Nitin Menon on Day 5 of the 4th India-Australia Test match held at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. India was having difficulty taking a wicket on the final day of the match, as Australia had made it to 71 for one by the 35th over. The Indian team then appealed for an lbw against left-handed Travis Head.
After Menon denied the appeal, India returned to their side, but Head managed to stay in the game after replays showed that the umpire’s decision would remain as is. As bowler Ravichandran Ashwin prepared to bowl his next delivery, Kohli could be heard joking: “Main hota toh out hota” (If it was me, it would have been out).
Umpire Menon caused quite a stir with his recent thumb signal while overseeing the Ahmedabad Test. His decision to double-check if there was a short run after Kohli brought up his half-century was met with massive criticism by the Indian former captain’s fans, who often accuse Menon of making bizarre and biased decisions.
Virat jokes with umpire Nitin menon on umpires call
Virat : Main hota toh Out deta ????#INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/kMbi3UhRfT— Samant (@samyend) March 13, 2023
Virat Kohli achieved his 28th Test century and his first since November 2019 on the fourth day of the match. His impressive innings spanned 364 balls and included 15 fours, eventually finishing with a score of 186. He was part of a solid 162-run partnership with Axar Patel, who made 79 off 113 deliveries, helping India complete a total of 571 after 178.5 overs in response to Australia’s 480 in the first innings.
Kohli’s impressive century is unlikely to be enough for India to secure a victory
India’s batting star, Kohli, hit a dazzling knock to give the hosts a 91-run lead in the first innings. But with the pitch providing no help to the bowlers, Australia made light work of the Indian attack, cruising to 153/2 in 60 overs on the final day of the enthralling Test match, making it seem like the game would end in a dull draw.
Matthew Kuhnemann was caught out for six runs by Ashwin, but Marnus Labuschagne and Head formed a partnership of 139 runs for the second wicket. Unfortunately, the success of their stand together ended when Head was bowled out by left-arm spinner Axar. No matter the Test result, India earned their playoff spot at the upcoming WTC final due to New Zealand’s victorious victory in the Christchurch Test against Sri Lanka.