Cheteshwar Pujara Weighs In on KL Rahul's Controversial Dismissal Against Australia

In a series opener filled with drama and contentious moments, Cheteshwar Pujara offered a balanced perspective on KL Rahul's controversial dismissal during the first innings of the match between India and Australia in Perth. The incident unfolded when the on-field umpire initially ruled in favor of the batsman, despite Australia's belief that Rahul had nicked the ball. Captain Pat Cummins opted for the Decision Review System (DRS), and after reviewing inconclusive footage, the third umpire overturned the original decision, declaring Rahul out.

This decision sparked debate and frustration, not only among players but also among cricket commentators and former players, including Wasim Akram, Sanjay Manjrekar, and Deep Dasgupta. They questioned the judgment of the TV umpire and criticized the local broadcasting team. The contention arose from the Snickometer, which showed a single spike as the ball passed close to Rahul's bat, whereas it was argued that if the ball had indeed edged the bat, there should have been dual spikes—one from the ball hitting the bat and another from the bat striking the pad.

Despite the controversy, Pujara refrained from assigning blame. Speaking on Star Sports, he commented, "You can’t say hundred percent whether KL Rahul was out or not. It looked like the ball might have hit the bat first before the willow brushed against the pad. From other angles, it seemed simultaneous with the ball passing close to the bat."

Rahul, who had contributed a solid 26 runs, appeared to be settling in comfortably at the crease before the contentious dismissal disrupted his innings. His departure was a setback for India, who eventually got bowled out for 150 runs. In response, Australia's innings also faltered as they reached 67/7 by the end of Day 1, with Jasprit Bumrah claiming four wickets for India and Josh Hazlewood taking four for the hosts.

The match's early exchanges have set the tone for what promises to be a fiercely contested series, with both teams showing glimpses of brilliance and areas needing improvement. As the series progresses, the role of technology in decision-making will likely continue to be under scrutiny.