LONDON (AP) — Mohammed Shami could land in a big problem for criticising third umpire after the fourth day of the World Test Championship final between India and Australia at the Oval.
For all of Kohli’s epic innings, the only two hundreds he’s hit in fourth-innings chases, both in 2014, didn’t earn India wins. And he hasn’t scored a hundred outside India since 2018.
After waiting more than three hours for Australia to declare, the subdued India fans were roused by five boundaries in the first 20 balls by Sharma and Gill. After the ball was hit out of shape and replaced, Sharma added a six for good measure when he pulled Mitchell Starc over fine leg.
Then Gill, on 18 from 19 balls, was out to another sensational catch at gully by Cameron Green. He plucked it with his left hand barely off the ground and scraped the grass. To check it was fair, the umpires asked for a review and seven replays later they confirmed Green’s fingers were beneath the ball.
“I knew I caught it straight away,” Green said. “I know it looks a bit weird but I knew. The openers got off to a flying start so it is always nice to get that first (out) to settle our nerves.”
Shami suggested the umpires should have considered an eighth replay.
“It’s the World Test Championship final, not a normal match that you let go,” Shami said. “It should have been checked better, zoomed in. But it’s OK, it’s part of the game.”
Captain Sharma protested in vain on the field, and some of the crowd cried “Cheat, cheat,” but the tea break was immediately called and things calmed, though Green was booed when he bowled briefly.
Gill cheekily tweeted emojis of magnifying glasses and a face palm. His wicket was taken by the nagging Scott Boland for the second time in the final