Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], September 20 (ANI): Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar expressed his sympathy for star India batter Virat Kohli, who was unjustly declared out during the second innings of the first Test against Bangladesh in Chennai.

In the match’s second innings, Virat Kohli, who had been dismissed for a mere six runs in the first innings, appeared at ease at the crease. He had already struck two boundaries, one of which was an elegant pull shot off Mehidy Hasan Miraz. Unfortunately, on the very next delivery, Virat was given out leg-before-wicket (LBW). Kohli chose not to utilize the Decision Review System (DRS) and walked off the field. However, subsequent replays using UltraEdge technology revealed a spike indicating that the ball had indeed made contact with his bat. Had he opted for a review, he would have been declared not out.

Reacting to this incident, Sanjay Manjrekar tweeted, “Felt bad for Virat today. He obviously didn’t think he had hit it. Just wanted to know from Gill if ball was hitting stumps. Despite Gill encouraging him to go for the review anyway he walked away dejected wanting to keep the 3 reviews for his team. #IndVsBan.”

This incident highlights Virat’s struggle with form this year across all cricket formats. In 15 matches and 17 innings this year, Kohli has accumulated only 319 runs at an average of 18.76. He has managed just one half-century and his highest score this year is 76, achieved during the T20 World Cup final against South Africa.

In the match’s initial phase, Bangladesh won the toss and chose to field first. India’s top-order crumbled, leaving them at a precarious 34/3. Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal scored a resilient 56 off 118 balls, with nine boundaries, while Rishabh Pant contributed a brisk 39 off 52 balls, featuring six fours. Together, they forged a crucial 62-run partnership for the fourth wicket, stabilizing India’s innings. However, India found themselves struggling again at 144/6 before Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja staged a remarkable recovery. Ashwin scored a commanding 113 off 133 balls, including 11 fours and two sixes, while Jadeja remained unbeaten on 86 off 117 balls, embellished with ten fours and two sixes. Their 199-run partnership propelled India to a total of 376 in 91.2 overs.

For Bangladesh, Hasan Mahmud emerged as the standout bowler with figures of 5/83, decimating the Indian top order by dismissing captain Rohit Sharma (6), Shubman Gill (0), and Virat Kohli (6). Taskin Ahmed also played a key role, claiming three wickets for 55 runs.

Bangladesh’s response in their first innings was fraught with regular wickets falling. Despite brief resistance from Shakib Al Hasan (32), Litton Das (22), and Mehidy Hasan Miraz (27*), they were bundled out for 149 runs. Jasprit Bumrah led the Indian bowling attack with figures of 4/50, supported by Akash Deep with 2/19, and contributions from Mohammed Siraj and Ravindra Jadeja who took two wickets each.

At the conclusion of day three, India stood at 81/3 in their second innings with Shubman Gill (33*) and Rishabh Pant (12*) at the crease. Despite losing their top-order batsmen Rohit Sharma (5), Yashasvi Jaiswal (10), and Virat Kohli (17) early, India held a commanding lead of 308 runs over Bangladesh.