RCB Post 161/5 Against GT in IPL Final at Narendra Modi Stadium, Kohli Strikes Unbeaten 75*

Virat Kohli survived a tense dismissal scare after a sharp low catch at mid-off was reviewed and ruled not out. On-field umpire Nitin Menon appeared to signal Kohli’s dismissal after the batter had started walking back, prompting uncertainty over whether the catch had been cleanly taken. Third umpire Madanagopal then checked the replay and focused on the position of the fielder, Gill, who had moved forward and dropped to his right knee while attempting the low chance. The ball was taken just inches above the ground, but the key question was whether it had been securely held or whether it had touched the turf during the catch.

After the review, the third umpire concluded that part of the ball was touching the ground between the fingers, leading to a reversal of the original impression and a decision of not out. The decision was met with a loud cheer from the crowd, while Kohli reacted immediately with relief and confidence, gesturing “told you so” and celebrating with a fist pump. Gill, by contrast, looked disappointed after missing what had appeared to be a difficult but possible catch.

The delivery itself was a length ball outside off stump, and Kohli had driven it uppishly on the rise. The ball was traveling away from the fielder and appeared to be dying on Gill at mid-off, making the catch unusually awkward and close to the ground. The incident added another dramatic moment to a contest already full of tension, with Kohli once again at the center of the action.

For the batting side, the reprieve could prove important, as Kohli’s presence often shifts momentum and steadies the innings under pressure. For the fielding side, the missed dismissal was a frustrating turn, especially after an appeal that initially looked convincing enough to send the batter halfway off the field. The review system, however, ultimately favored the batter after the third umpire found insufficient evidence of a clean catch.

The moment was also notable for the immediate on-field drama. Kohli’s brief departure, the umpire’s gesture, the third umpire intervention, and the final verdict all unfolded in quick succession, creating a dramatic pause before the cheers broke out. Such decisions often become defining talking points in closely fought matches, particularly when they involve high-profile players and potentially game-changing wickets.

In the end, Kohli stayed at the crease after a narrow escape, while Gill and the fielding unit were left to regroup after a chance that slipped away. The episode underscored how thin the margins can be in cricket, where a catch measured in inches can alter the course of a game.