Virat Kohli's dismissal during the opening day of the fifth Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) sparked heated debate and controversy after he survived what many believed was a clear catch behind the wicket.
On January 3, 2025, just eight overs after the match began, the Australian team believed they had caught Kohli for a golden duck. Kohli edged Scott Boland's delivery to Steve Smith at second slip, who managed to get his fingers underneath the ball as it headed for the ground, flicking it up for Marnus Labuschagne to complete the catch. The excitement among the players and the SCG crowd was palpable as they celebrated what they thought was the dismissal of the Indian superstar.
With the decision referred to the third umpire, Joel Wilson, immediate replays showed Smith’s fingers under the ball, but another angle hinted at the ball's millisecond contact with the ground. After analyzing multiple angles, Wilson ruled the ball touched the grass before being caught, leading to Kohli being declared not out.
His decision left the Australian team, particularly Smith, visibly frustrated. “He’s got his fingers here but like it rolled onto the ground. Yeah, the ball just touching the ground,” Wilson stated on the broadcast. Smith responded, saying he was “100 percent” certain he made the catch, but acknowledged the umpires had made their decision. The incident quickly divided opinions among commentators and cricketing legends alike.
Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting strongly argued the catch should have been ruled out, emphasizing, “I think if it had come out of his hand, he wouldn’t have been able to scoop it up. The ball would have rolled away to the side.” Justin Langer echoed these sentiments, stating, “From what I have seen there, makes it more obvious to me it should have been out.”
This incident drew attention to the rules governing catches and the use of technology, particularly the recent changes to umpiring procedures. According to former umpire Simon Taufel, “Depending upon which side of the fence you sit on, you could probably build a case for either decision to be made,” underscoring the complexity of cricket's contemporary reviews.
The fallout extended beyond the field as social media buzzed with mixed reactions. Some fans asserted it was “robbing” Australia of what should have been their third wicket, whereas others felt Kohli was simply fortunate on the day. Former cricketers expressed their opinions online. Mark Waugh believed Kohli had benefited from luck, stating, “That’s out every day of the week but not today?”
Kohli, who had been under considerable scrutiny for his recent form, not only survived the catch but also continued batting alongside Shubman Gill. This match was pivotal as India aimed to win it to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, with Kohli’s performance being instrumental to their success.
While India’s innings faced multiple challenges early on, including losing KL Rahul and Yashavi Jaiswal quickly, Kohli’s reprieve brought fresh energy. The significance of the decision wasn’t lost on cricket analysts, who noted the impact such moments can have on match outcomes.
Despite the tensions from the umpiring decisions, Kohli managed to navigate through the remainder of the session, leaving the visitors at 3-57 after Shubman Gill fell for 20. The SCG crowd remained engaged, oscillated between hope for Kohli’s form and disbelief over the earlier decision.
With the stage set for what could be one of his standout performances, Kohli’s first-ball escape became not just a talking point for the day but possibly defining for the series. Fans and professionals alike are closely watching, recalling his history of rising to the occasion when it matters most.
The answer to whether Kohli’s not out decision would alter the tide of the match remained to be seen. But one thing was certain: the controversy surrounding the catch would linger long after the final ball was bowled at the SCG, emblematic of the unpredictable drama cricket often serves up.