'What a disgrace': Virat Kohli under fire over 'pathetic' act

Virat Kohli and Indian teammates were left seething during the third Test against South Africa on Thursday after a DRS review went against them in controversial scenes.

Indian players reacted with dismay and anger when an lbw decision against Dean Elgar was overturned on review at a crucial stage on the third day of the third Test at Newlands.

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On-field umpire Marais Erasmus initially gave Elgar out after the ball struck his pad below the knee roll.

However DRS inexplicably showed the ball was travelling over the stumps, with a shocked Erasmus heard saying "that's impossible".

Kohli and his Indian teammates were also seething, with the captain angrily kicking the turf in disgust and labelling it a "f***ing joke".

Kohli then walked up to the stumps and spoke directly to broadcasters SuperSport on the stump microphones.

"Focus on your team while they shine the ball. Not just the opposition," he said.

"Trying to catch the opposition all the time."

Kohli was seemingly referring to Australia's Sandpaper scandal in 2018 when SuperSport's cameras caught Cameron Bancroft tampering with the ball during a Test at Newlands.

Kohli appeared to be suggesting that SuperSport had something to do with the controversial DRS call, despite that fact that the HawkEye technology is meant to be an independent entity.

Indian vice-captain KL Rahul and spinner Ravi Ashwin also appeared to accuse SuperSport of influencing the ball-tracking device.

Rahul was heard to say: "The whole country is playing against 11 guys."

Ashwin, who had celebrated what he thought was a vital breakthrough, said: "You should find better ways to win, SuperSport."

While fans were also baffled by the DRS call, many hit out at Kohli's actions on social media.

South Africa on verge of series victory over India

Elgar, star of South Africa's successful run chase in the second Test, was on 22 and the total was 1-60 when the incident occurred with South Africa chasing a target of 212 runs to win the match and the series.

Elgar added only eight more runs before he was out – also after a successful review, this time by India after he had been given not out for a catch by wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant – in the last over of the day.

But the total had advanced by 41 more runs, leaving South Africa almost halfway to the target on 2-101 and 111 runs short of victory.

Indian bowling coach Paras Mhambrey was more cautious at a press conference after play.

"We saw it, you saw it. I'll leave that for the match referee to have a look at it," he said.

"Every individual is trying his best. Sometimes in a moment like this people do say certain things."

South African fast bowler Lungi Ngidi said he had full confidence in the technology.

"We've seen it used all over the world. It's the system we use," he said.

"Reactions like that show a bit of frustration. Emotions were high. Maybe they were feeling a bit of pressure."

with agencies

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