“Virat Kohli Hota Toh Out Tha” – Indian Fans Trolled Umpire Nitin Menon Savagely

Indian umpire Nitin Menon was in the middle of things on Day 2 of the ongoing fifth and final Ashes 2023 Test at The Oval courtesy of making a really close, but correct run-out decision in favor of Australia’s starman Steve Smith.

This gave the Indian fans an opportunity to take a cheeky dig at Nitin Menon by bringing out how on multiple occasions, Nitin Menon has given Virat Kohli and Indians out in case of tight umpire calls.

In the 78th over of Australia’s innings, Steve Smith tapped Chris Woakes on the leg side and set for a couple.

Deep mid-wicket fielder, George Ealham, the substitute fielder, does superbly to sprint in, pick up the ball and throw at the striker’s end. Wicket-keeper Jonny Bairstow receives the throw and messes the stumps. Initially, it seemed that Smith was out and he even started to walk and England began celebrating.

Nitin Menon, Virat Kohli

However, third umpire Nitin Menon decided to look at it closely and ruled out that the bail was not completely dislodged from both grooves until Smith was just inside his crease. There was also debate about whether Bairstow had dislodged the bail before taking the ball, making the bail irrelevant. In either case, Smith was saved.

Nitin Menon was praised by everyone for his sharp work as a third umpire.

Indian fans had some fun on Twitter by trolling Menon with a “Virat Kohli” dig:

https://twitter.com/smart__leaks/status/1685001260808953859?s=20

https://twitter.com/shiv_t3ds/status/1684978507280257024?s=20

https://twitter.com/DeepTake/status/1684946416857190402?s=20

https://twitter.com/shadevrana0061/status/1684953657715109888?s=20

https://twitter.com/Rajiv1841/status/1684993710185144322?s=20

https://twitter.com/anubhav__tweets/status/1684959948646854656?s=20

Was Nitin Menon’s decision correct?

Yes, Nitin Menon’s decision of giving Steve Smith NOT OUT  in the controversial run-out event was correct. The Marylebone Cricket Club, the guardians of the cricket laws, also confirmed that Nitin Menon’s decision to give Smith not out was indeed the right one, because the bail had not been completely dislodged until Smith’s bat got inside the crease.

https://twitter.com/MCCOfficial/status/1684955645420658688?s=20

Steve Smith finished with 71 runs, helping Australia got to 295, Australia finishing with a slender lead of 12 runs, making this Test match now effectively a last innings shootout.