In the third and fina𝓡l T20I between India and South Africa on Sunday, after having batted first, India could only muster 134-9 thanks to some disciplined bowling by the Proteas. And, with the South Africans going hammer and tongs in the first six overs of their run-chase, India needed wickets and in a hurry to make a fist out of that match.
In the sixth over of the second innings, a Deepak Chahar delivery bumped against Proteas opener Beuran Hendricks’ pads and there was an unusually high-spirited appeal by wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant and the bowler.
Even while watching the match in real-time, people knew that H𝓀endricks would not lose the wicket because the ball was nowhere near the stumps. There was no point in wasting time on this appeal and India should have moved on.
♓However, the 21-year-old wicket-keeper was insistent that Hendricks was indeed out, and when the Indian skipper Virat Kohli asked for a definꦕite confirmation, both Pant and Chahar showed extreme confidence and Kohli had to go for the review.
As the on-field umpire went upstairs, the hawkeye technology showed that not only was the ball💟 not hitting the stumps but was also at least five to six centimeters away from the leg stump.
Amazed by how inaccurate the appeal was, Kohli could not help but hide 🌃his face with a cap while laughing in disbelief through🐼out.
To rub salt in the wound, a couple of deliveries later, South African skipper Quinton de Kock was clearly out on an LBW appeal by Washington Sundar but the umpires said ‘No’ and India had no option but to move on because they had lost their review already.
Here’s how fans reacted on Twitter:
Deepak Chahar has no idea about where his own delivery is heading. Ridiculously forcing Kohli to take the review. And Pant's role in this whole thing is more confusing as he has the best idea of the ball's direction among the fielders
— অঙ্কিত 🇮🇳 (@KarmakarAnkit11)
Deepak Chahar – Pant forces to take a very bad DRS!
After watching the review, Kohli hides his face with the cap and feels𒀰 embarrass🌃ed.
And the whole stadium started c👍hanting one name. ꧅❤️🔥✌️
— Divyanshu Tiwari (@DiTi280500)
ꦯLol at confidence of Chahar to take that bizarre DRS. 🤣
— Hina T. (@BeingHinaTariq)
I mean how could u appeal for such a review �🦄�😑😑 Wah Wah CHAHAR, Wah Wah PANT!!! Here even impact was outside!!!😑
— Soumadeep Roy (@le_souma_dr)
//twitter.com/itsdh🐭ruvism/status/1175799966465347584
India is missing MSD a lot. Not because of his batting or keeping. It’s DRS ie & Kohli & team has measurably failed𓂃 to live that!
— Sourabh Sanyal 🇮🇳 (@sourabhsanyal)
Bad bad decision by Kohli to go for DRS, poor captaincy. Lost the review and also didn't get the wicket. Painfully poor.
— Sam 🇵🇰 (@BruceVaine)
Pant Is Inversely Proportional To Dhoni.
Dhoni Plays Cautiously, Pant Plays Carelessly
Dhoni Anchors Innings, Pant Slogs Everything
Dhoni Ge💦ts 99/100 Reviews Right, Pant Gets 99/100 Reviews💧 Wrong
— Babu Bhaiya (@Shahrcasm)
South Africa eventually went on to win the game with skipper Quinton de Kock leading the way with an unbeaten 52-ball-79 and Temba Bavuma’s 23-ball-27* as the visitors strolled past India’s set-target in just 16.5 overs.
