Was Virat Kohli Out Or Not Out, What Does The Law Says?

Indian captain Virat Kohli's comeback after a brief break didn't turn out to be a memorable one as he would have liked after a marginal decision sent shockwaves to all those who were anticipating a big inning. 

In the 30th over, Kohli came into bat after Cheteshwar Pujara was out for a duck off Ajaz Patel. Kohli negated three balls but on the fourth ball, that pitched perfectly in line and straightened. 

Kohli got into the position of forward defense. The ball, according to the umpire Anil Choudhary, crashed straight into the pads and he raised his finger to adjudge Kohli LBW. 

The Indian captain straightaway referred to it without much discussion with non-striker Mayank Agarwal. On the slow-mo, it was seen that the ball went in between Kohli's bat and pad. At one angle, it looked like the ball hit the bat first and then pad. However, from the other angle, the ball looked to hit both bat and pad at the same time. 

Now, the point of DRS referrals is to gather enough evidence or facts to overturn an onfield decision. In this case as well, 3rd umpire Virender Sharma looked for all the possible angles to find enough evidence to prove Kohli had hit the bat first but he couldn't. 

Now, according to rule 3.3.6 of Appendix D in ICC playing conditions, "If despite the available technology, the third umpire is unable to decide with a high degree of confidence whether the original on-field decision should be changed, then he/she shall report that the replays are ‘inconclusive', and that the on-field decision shall stand. The third umpire shall not give answers conveying likelihoods or probabilities." 

Also Read: Ashes 2021-22 - England vs Australia Schedule and Squads

Although as a viewer, it looked like it was a close call and Kohli might have hit the bat first but umpires have to follow the process and find enough factual evidence to turn the decision and that's why Kohli was adjudged out.