BGT 2023 | Twitter in splits as Virat Kohli is caught taunting Nitin Memon on stump mic alleging bias
Drawn Tests can often experience sluggish periods of play where nothing gives for the bowling team, especially on flat decks such as the one in Ahmedabad. However, Virat Kohli made sure he kept everyone amused with his usual witty banter, including some targeted at umpire Nitin Menon.
India played out a dull draw against Australia in the fourth and final Border Gavaskar Trophy Test to seal the series 2-1 and confirm their spot in the World Test Championship Final beginning June 7 at The Oval. The final day largely featured the visitors defending balls and slowly ticking along the scoreboard, knowing a draw was inevitable, while the hosts tried to pry wickets albeit with not much gusto. Nevertheless, there were entertaining moments scattered throughout the day, including one orchestrated by Virat Kohli.
In the 35th over, Ravichandran Ashwin managed to get a delivery to hit the pad of Travis Head only for umpire Nitin Menon to nod his head in disapproval. Skipper Rohit Sharma opted for a review only for the replays to confirm the original decision but only by a whisker since the big screen showed in big and bold letters 'Umpire's call.' Virat Kohli, sensing an opportunity to tease Nitin Menon, quickly fired with a witty remark stating 'mai hota toh out that [if it was me, it would have been out.' The 34-year-old was understandably referencing the various moments in recent times where close calls have gotten the better of him, including in the first innings of the second Test when Menon had declared the batter out when he was well set at 44. Back then, the review had resulted in an umpire's call as well, provoking Kohli to make the comment on Sunday.
However, a sporting Menon took the words in good humour and raised his finger slightly to indicate Kohli was speaking the truth, sending Twiteratti into splits.
Poor virat
mai hota toh pakka out hota ~ virat saab to menon saab ๐ญ๐ pic.twitter.com/RRNqeOJ0GX
โ Ayush (@KohliAdorer) March 13, 2023
LOL
Virat jokes with umpire Nitin menon on umpires call
โ Samant (@samyend) March 13, 2023
Virat : Main hota toh Out deta ๐#INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/kMbi3UhRfT
Menon's magic
Virat Kohli on Nitin Menon's umpire call for Travis Head:
โ Lokesh Saini (@LokeshVirat18K) March 13, 2023
"If it was me, I was definitely given out there".๐๐๐๐ญ pic.twitter.com/mPeYqKUs51
Menon agrees
Virat :- "Mai hota toh out tha"
โ Pigga (@piggahd77) March 13, 2023
And Nitin Menon agrees too by showing his thumb๐ญ๐๐ป pic.twitter.com/XopCDRrFw9
He agreed
Virat Kohli on Nitin Menon's umpire call for Travis Head: "Mei hota toh out tha"
โ Rajat (@RJcasm) March 13, 2023
Nitin thumps up bhi de raha ๐ pic.twitter.com/Me9Fb2e1Hx
Pefect pairs
Sachin Tendulkar - Steve Buckner ๐ค Virat Kohli - Nitin Menon
โ Sameer Allana (@HitmanCricket) March 11, 2023
He would've definetly given him out
Virat Kohli to Nitin Menon ๐ฃ - โMein hota to out tha, Mein hota to pakka Out thaโ And Nitin Menon Smiles ๐ as he didnโt raise his finger against Travis Head. #indvsaus #AUSvIND #ViratKohli #virat pic.twitter.com/S8adU6QJzp
โ India Fantasy (@india_fantasy) March 13, 2023
Stump mic gems
Virat Kohli to Nitin Menon when Australian batsman given not out by umpire :
โ Mufaddal John Singh Vohra (@mufasinghjohn) March 13, 2023
โ Mai hota to pakka out hota โ #NZvSL #Kohli #INDvAUS #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/fAnAgKGrRr
Just laugh
Virat Kohli on Nitin Menon's umpire call for Travis Head:
โ Temba Bavuma ๐ฎ๐ณ (@Uboss333) March 13, 2023
" me hota to pakka out tha "๐๐https://t.co/cBZ7sjoNQe
He owned him
Virat Kohli Bodied Nitin Menon while his umpires call for Head .....
โ Anam โก (@Anam_Nishat18) March 13, 2023
" Main hota toh out tha " mannn it hurts ๐ญ๐ญ!!pic.twitter.com/HjTFltNGhv