Cockiness has always been a de-facto part of the trade for pacers, a principle epitomized by Stuart Broad’s famous invention of the celebrappeal that relegates umpires to the role of a spectator. However, the move heavily backfired on Chennai Super Kings on Friday, much to Virat Kohli’s respite.
Phil Salt got Royal Challengers Bengaluru off to a flying start against Chennai Super Kings at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chepauk on Friday as he struck Khaleel Ahmed for a couple of boundaries in the first over followed by bashing Ravichandran Ashwin for 16 runs in the off-spinner’s opening effort. However, Virat Kohli failed to find the smae fluency right off the cuff at the other end, and after taking two balls to get off strike survived a dangerous scare against Khaleel Ahmed. Yet, the antics of the hosts meant it was not the batter that ended up facing scrutiny at the end of it all.
Khaleel ran in from over the stumps and angled one across Kohli to strike him on the pads. The left-arm quick immediately raised both his arms aloft and aeroplaned away in celebration, his confidence not even allowing him to consult with the umpire. However, once Khaleel realized Kohli remained unmoved at the crease, he turned around in despair only to find the umpire firmly shaking his head no. Nevertheless, the pacer got the backing of MS Dhoni which was enough to convince Ruturaj Gaikwad for the review, and it turned out the umpire was right in his assessment as the ball had pitched comfortably outside leg.
Even Kohli could not supress his laugh seeing the unjustified confidence of both Khaleel and Dhoni, and Twitterati did not react much differently either.
Desperate
The end
The end of DRS
Dhoni review system #CSKvRCB #Dhoni— Ashish Tiwari (@iamrounak11) March 28, 2025
DRS – Dhoni Review System antiri kadara 🤡
— John Murphy (@CooperStationn) March 28, 2025
Not out
Tamil commentary 😅😅
DRS ae DRS kekudhu.
After NotOut.
Dhoni hesitate panarunga. Khaleel kaga dhan ponaru#CSKvRCB— Santhosh 🇪🇸 (@SanthoshNanban) March 28, 2025
Sad
DRS – Dhoni Review System ❌
Chu*iya Dhobi Review System clearly bowl was pitching outside leg look at the excitement of CSK dogs 😂😂— Virat Kohli The GOAT 👑 (@TrinabhChawla) March 28, 2025
DRS appeal! LBW of Virat Kohli not given out by on-field umpire. Khaleel Ahmed convinces MS Dhoni for review.#RCBvsCSK #CSKvsRCB #IPL2025
— Red and Gold Pavilion (@redandgoldcric) March 28, 2025
Saved
Failure
Dhoni review system (drs) fail😃
#ipl— Laxman (@LaxmanB43170765) March 28, 2025
Dhoni taking a wrong drs against kohli🤣🤣🤣lawde ka captain cool#RCBvsCSK
— Aditya (@adiitrusivee) March 28, 2025
Super
DRS
Dhoni review system 😂😂😂— Ajay ♑ (@coruptajxy) March 28, 2025
