After a excellent powerplay from England where their openers Phil Salt and Ben Duckett managed to accrue 75 runs without any damage, India recovered well by scalping both within five overs to leave the scorecard reading 105/2. Another trademark collapse looked on the cards for England but Joe Root and Harry Brook allayed such conerns by taking their time for a steady 66-run partnership, in contrast to the team’s approach of late in white-ball cricket. However, there was a significant rub of the green involved in the duo’s success, and India was potentially one right call away from completely changing the nature of the game.
On the second ball of the 24th over, Axar Patel trundled in from around the stumps and pitched the ball fullish at the stumpsmto force Root forward. The Englishman opted for a sweep instead but failed to get his bat low enough as the ball snuck past the under edge and thumped into Root’s front pad, evoking a huge appeal. However, umpire Chris Brown was quick to shake his head in rejection and even though a brief discussion convened between the bowler, skipper, and wicket-keeper KL Rahul, the latter did not hesitate in rejecting the idea of a review given the angle at which the ball was bowled. By the time the glovesman was done speaking, the timer had run-out while both his teammates also seemed to align with the view.
Much to India’s misfortune, replays showed that not only had the Kookaburra hit Root in line but would also have gone on to hit leg stump, and Rohit was unsurprisingly vivid. The 37-year-old went on a rant while flailing his hands in frustration with regret writ large on Rahul’s face, much to Twitter’s amusement.
It was out!
Rohit does not like it
— jithesh (@jithesh1569353) February 9, 2025
Aksar patel ke over me DRS Rohit sir ko le lena chahiye tha #AskStar
— MD DILKHUSH (@MDDILKH89693135) February 9, 2025
Just there
#AskStar Is KL Rahul just there to keep wickets?
He has to support in DRS calls as well.— Rohit Sharma (@errohitsharmaa) February 9, 2025
What do you think?
#AskStar @DisneyPlus Do you think all the wickets will fall today? Because DRS is not being used properly today?Rohit Sharma’s feats
— ➳ᴹᴿ᭄𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐦 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭 ♛♰❀❤️ (@Ambedkariteboy) February 9, 2025
That was captain Rohit Sharma’s reaction when Rahul asks to not review when there was just one review remaining. I agree that was a wrong call by KL but after this reaction why would he say no for any DRS decision in the future. If the umpire hasn’t seen it how can wk see it 100% https://t.co/o78FxsUdti
— Akshay (@aksh__96) February 9, 2025
Frustrated
Dont
Kl Rahul told Rohit Sharma not to take DRS pic.twitter.com/gLWOpqXyDQ
— Utsav Arora (@JB93_RO45_SKY63) February 9, 2025
Rohit Sharma please don’t listen to KL Rahul on DRS, this mdc is high on something.
KL Rahul always plays for opposition.— Ctrl C Ctrl Memes (@Ctrlmemes_) February 9, 2025
Brainless
Kl rahul decision system some brainless fans were saying he has the best drs better to Dhoni bla bla today it was clear he is brainless just like his fans he is the worst keeper first wrong review then he let rohit to not take review on harry brook which was plumbed worst keeper. pic.twitter.com/Kw9CAQIMRW
— Anjali (धर्मो रक्षति रक्षितः) (@Bhakti_path_) February 9, 2025
