‘Call on Virat dismissal surprising’

PERTH: India were surprised by the on-field umpire’s call that led to skipper Virat Kohli’s controversial dismissal caught in the cordon but the team has moved on and is focussed on restricting Australia, pacer Jasprit Bumrah said on Sunday.

Kohli was ruled out by TV umpire for 123 after doubts whether Peter Handscomb’s catch at second slip off Pat Cummins was taken on the bounce. Umpire Kumar Dharmasena’s ‘soft signal’ was out, which meant only conclusive evidence could have led to the decision being overturned.

“We were a little surprised by the on-field call but now that it’s been done means it’s done. We will move forward with the game. That’s about it,” Bumrah told reporters after stumps.

FIRST SESSION CRUCIAL

“Tomorrow the first session will be important. We want to take early wickets, so that it will restrict the total to as less as possible. That will help us chase it in the fourth innings. In my eyes, our team is capable of chasing any total but we will try to minimise as much as possible.

“Nobody has really got out (to deliveries that come) off the track. The crack is just there but doesn’t do a lot. It’s only in the mind. We will not take that into consideration (while batting).”

KOHLI VS PAINE

Kohli and Tim Paine briefly exchanged of words as India kept up their chatter around the bat as they sought to restrict Australia. “If he messes it up, it’s 2-0,”Kohli said, which was picked up by the microphone after he a caught-behind appeal against Paine. “You’ve got to bat first, big head,” the Australia captain retorted. Spinner Nathan Lyon, played it down.

“I think Tim just asked him where he was going for dinner. I’ve played enough cricket against Virat to know what he’s like, and I’m not worried about what he’s doing or what India’s doing.

“Virat is a great player, he plays on emotion, and to be honest I’m not too concerned how Virat reacts. I’m just worried about what we can control and I thought we came out today and performed pretty well,” he said.