India vs Australia: Former Australia batter Mark Waugh said he was not convinced by the DRS process that led to the dismissal of Usman Khawaja on Day 1 of the 1st Test in Nagpur. Khawaja was adjudged LBW in Mohammed Siraj’s first over on February 9.
New Delhi,UPDATED: Feb 9, 2023 12:44 IST
Out or not out? Mark Waugh weighs in on Usman Khawaja LBW review call (AP Photo)
By India Today Web Desk: Former Australia batter Mark Waugh said on Thursday, February 9 that he wasn’t sure whether the ball-tracker got it right after Usman Khawaja was adjudged LBW on Day 1 of the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Nagpur. Khawaja was given not out by on-field Nitin Menon but India took the DRS after a long discussion and overturned the decision successfully.
Usman Khawaja was out for 1 as early as the 2nd over as Mohammed Siraj struck with his first delivery of the Test match. Siraj got the ball to swing into the left-handed batter and trapped him LBW. Siraj went for a huge appeal but the umpire Menon was unmoved.
Rohit Sharma, who was fielding at mid-on, rushed to debutant wicketkeeper-batter KS Bharat to consult him before taking the DRS. As Siraj remained persistent, Rohit took the DRS with just a second left on the 15-second countdown clock.
India vs Australia, 1st Test Day 1 Updates
While it looked like it was touch and go to the naked eye, the ball-tracking showed that the ball pitched in line and swung enough to hit the leg-stump. it was 3 reds as Usman Khawaja had to walk back to the dressing room. The Australian support staff in the dressing room looked surprised by the ball-tracking that was showcased with the replays.
Had it not been three reds and the ball just clipped the leg-stump, Khawaja would have not been out as the umpire’s call would have stayed. However, the ball tracking showed that the ball went on to hit the middle of the leg-stump.
Speaking to the host broadcasters, former batter Mark Waugh said Usman Khawaja might feel ulucky after the DRS review went against him in the first session in Nagpur.
“I thought it was maybe sliding down leg-stump or, at best, clipping leg-stump. But I think, the Indians thought the same. they took until the last second to take the review.
“I thought it might have clipping, but the Hawkeye said it was hitting the middle of leg-stump. I am not sure it was. Anyway, that was the first one down, a bit unlucky for Khawaja,” he added.
SHASTRI’S TAKE ON DRS CALL
Questions were asked about the ball-tracking system by a section of Australian cricket fans on social media after Khawaja walked away for 1 with disappointment.
Australia were rattled at the start as they were reduced to 2 for 2 after Mohammed Shami got David Warner out bowled for 1.
However, Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne steadied the ship with an 82-run partnership before Ravindra Jadeja ran riot after the Lunch break. Jadeja removed Labuschagne for 49 before getting Matt Renshaw for a first-ball duck.
Speaking about the Khawaja LBW dismissal, former India head coach Ravi Shastri said: “Yes, it looked as if it would have clipped leg-stump. When you saw it from upstairs, anyone would have said it was clipping leg-stump. But the ball-tracking said it hit the leg-stump. India will be very happy with that review. Sometimes, as a batter, you get the rough end of the stick, I think Khawaja got one there,” Shastri said.
