KL Rahul’s dismissal sparked controversy on Day 1 of the Perth Test after TV umpire overrules on-field call despite apparent lack of evidence.
Kl Rahul fought hard for his 26, before he was given out by the third umpire Richard Illingworth. However, initially the on field umpire, Richard Kettleborough, called it not out. While replays showed there was a sound as the ball passed the Rahul’s bat before going through to Alex Carey, but it also showed that Rahul’s bat was hitting with his front pad as the ball passed through.
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Following the dismissal, former Australia coach Darren Lehmann has slammed Cricket Australia for not making hot spot available for the umpires.
“CA (Cricket Australia) should’ve actually paid for the hot spot then you’d have no problems there,” he said on commentary for ABC Sport.
“I just think we should have hot spot and I’m not worried about the cost. Broadcasters, both TV and radio, they’re paying the money for the broadcasting rights, so they’ve got the money there to do it. If we’re going to have big crowds, big nations playing, pay for it, work it out and get the right result.
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India’s KL Rahul ducks to avoid a bouncer during play in the first cricket test between India and Australia in Perth, Australia. (AP)
“Think about this in a crunch fifth Test decider in Sydney, both teams playing for a World Test Championship spot for example and that happens and you haven’t got hot spot.
“If it’s a cost issue, come out and say it’s a cost issue, which I imagine it must be. I can understand the cash (answer) if the money they’re saving is going into grassroots cricket or developing the women’s game, I’m OK with that sort of stuff, but if they’re just saving money for the sake of saving money.”
However, former umpire, Simon Taufel felt Illingworth made the correct call despite not having the necessary angles required to make a conclusive decision on whether Rahul hit the ball.
“The umpire is looking for conclusive evidence and there were a few gremlins … where he didn’t get a few camera angles that he wanted,” he said on Channel 7’s coverage.
“In my view the ball does graze the outside edge.
“With that side on shot there was a spike with the bat away from the pad.”
India's KL Rahul bats during play in the first cricket test between India and Australia in Perth, Australia. (AP) 
India’s KL Rahul ducks to avoid a bouncer during play in the first cricket test between India and Australia in Perth, Australia. (AP)
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