“We saw it, you saw it. I’ll leave that for the match referee to have a look at it,” India’s bowling coach Paras Mhambrey
The ball-tracking technology is authorised by HawkEye, an independent body, which relays the data to the host broadcaster, in this case SuperSport.
A visibly irritated Kohli walked up to the stumps, and spoke into the mic, saying, “Focus on your team while they shine the ball. Not just the opposition. Trying to catch people all the time.”
The Indian players were not the only ones who didn’t agree with the decision. Erasmus could be seen shaking his head as the pictures played out on the screen at the venue, and was heard saying, “That’s impossible”.
But the Indians were not on the same page.
When asked if the Indian players were suggesting the broadcasters were manipulating the images, Mhambrey said, “Every individual out here is trying his best. Sometimes in a moment like this, people do say certain things. It’s a game. I think it’s fair we just move on. Everyone is trying their best. Emotions do come into play sometimes.”
Ngidi further said, “Reactions like that show a bit of frustration and sometimes teams capitalise on that. You never want to show so much emotion, but we could see emotions were high. That tells us they are feeling a little bit of pressure.
“That was a good partnership [between Elgar and Keegan Petersen for the second wicket] for us and they really wanted to break it. Those feelings ended up showing there. Everyone reacts differently and what we saw there was what those guys were feeling at the time.”
Elgar was eventually dismissed on the stroke of stumps, and DRS was in the picture again. This time, it was after India reviewed a not-out decision from the other umpire, Adrian Holstock, for a catch to the wicketkeeper off Jasprit Bumrah. It was a full delivery going down leg, and Elgar looked to flick but only managed to nick it, and Rishabh Pant took a diving catch to his right.
India reviewed, and Kohli was heard saying, “Wonder how they’re going to show that.” As it transpired, UltraEdge showed a spike as ball passed bat and Elgar was given out.
Firdose Moonda is ESPNcricinfo’s South Africa correspondent
