VIDEO | Overenthusiastic Virat Kohli and Bhuvneshwar Kumar cost India a review on the first ball of the match
The pressure of a World Cup semi-final is humongous and no words can describe the kind of nerves one has to hold on to under such circumstances. During the high-voltage game against New Zealand, Virat Kohli and Co. lost their precious review on the very first after challenging a good umpire’s call.
New Zealand won the toss and opted to bat first, they needed runs on the board to pose any challenge to the star-studded Indian line-up. India, on the other hand, needed early wickets to get things going. As usual, Bhuvneshwar Kumar was trusted with the new ball and the wily bowler didn’t disappoint.
On the very first delivery of the game, Bhuvneshwar got some movement and trapped Martin Guptill leg before. Indian players appealed in elation but Richard Kettleborough believed the ball to be missing the stumps and stuck to his decision. Despite Dhoni looking not-so-confident about taking a review, an overenthusiastic Bhuvi managed to convince his captain, and with just seconds remaining on the clock, Virat Kohli decided to go for the review without second thoughts. At the very first instance, the decision looked quite correct and by no chance did it look like getting overturned.
The replays suggested the ball would have missed the leg stump by a mile and India’s tactical blunder cost them a precious review. With two spinners in the side, the DRS would have come in handy as the innings progressed but, in a rush of blood, perhaps, India lost it on the very first ball of the semi-final.