Controversial Kohli wicket sparks furious debate

Controversy has erupted on day three of the second Test after Indian captain Virat Kohli’s superb innings ended courtesy of a debatable Aussie catch.

The gifted right-hander was out edging to Pat Cummins in the penultimate over of the session, with the dismissal upheld after third umpire Nigel Llong agonised over every angle of Peter Handscomb’s slips catch to see whether it had carried.

Replays appeared to show Hanscomb’s fingers centimetres off the grass and underneath the ball as it nestled into his hands.

There was not enough conclusive evidence to suggest the ball had made contact with the ground first, meaning the original decision stood.

The dramatic wicket put an end to an irresistible innings from the Indian skipper, whose match-turning knock came to an end on 123.

Australian Test great and Channel Seven commentator Ricky Ponting was adamant it was a fair catch,” Ponting said.

However, fans were divided on social media over the highly contentious incident.

India slipped to 7-252 at lunch on day three of the second Test in Perth – giving the Aussies a 74-run lead going into the second session.

The morning session ended with Mohammed Shami out edging a Nathan Lyon delivery for a golden duck.

The hosts struck in Sunday’s opening over, when Lyon had Ajinkya Rahane caught behind on 51, then Mitchell Starc struck Kohli’s left elbow during the following over.

BLAME GAME: Fans turn on Indians after crucial dropped catch

Kohli didn’t flinch. The superstar was unperturbed by either setback, with an ice pack in the morning drinks break the only treatment he received during the session.

Kohli brought up the 25th ton of his Test career – and record-equaling sixth in Australia – with a sweetly-timed straight drive off Starc’s second delivery with the second new ball.

A low-key celebration, in which Kohli seemingly made the point that his bat had done all the talking, was a clear statement of intent that the world’s best batsman was hungry for more runs and a victory that would ensure his team retain the Border-Gavaskar trophy.

The fact it was Kohli’s second-slowest Test century, coming from 214 balls, was an indicator of his composure during some challenging spells on day two.

Kohli’s milestone drew him level with Sachin Tendulkar for most Test centuries in Australia by an Indian.

Josh Hazlewood, having been uncharacteristically ineffectual for much of the innings, removed Hanuma Vihari for 20 with the second new ball.

With AAP