Australia scored 327/3 at stumps on the first day of the World Test Championship (WTC) final at The Oval. The Indian bowlers battled tactically all day.
Australia gained strength from Travis Head and Steve Smith’s undefeated 251 runs. KS Bharat, Virat Kohli’s junior teammate, encouraged him to rethink a leg before the wicket call and not take a DRS review, which caught the crowd’s attention.
Cricket legends like Naseer Hussain revere Bharat for this. It questions the idea that rookies can’t criticize veteran players’ judgments or behavior. Bharat, who made his Test debut against Australia in February 2023, showed great courage by calling out Kohli and lobbying him against a Decision Review System (DRS).
What Happened
Steve Smith failed to draw a Mohammed Shami delivery. Bharat’s well-timed leap grabbed the ball. Indian fielders, notably Virat Kohli, were excited as the ball flew past the bat. Bharat convinced Kohli to forgo a DRS.
Naseer Hussain Calls KS Bharat Brave
Naseer Hussain appreciated and saw the occurrence. “He was very tough with Virat Kohli,” he said in commentary.
He overruled Kohli. Kohli wanted to review it, but Bharat, playing his 5th Test match, had to rush to King Kohli and say “Nope, you got that wrong.” Brave dude, right”
Ravi Shastri, a former Indian team coach, noted that many individuals lack the fortitude to oppose Kohli’s choice. “He jolly well be a senior,” he added when Justin Langer questioned about players resisting Kohli’s domination.
Shastri remarked, “Yes, these batsmen and competition. He would have been half as expressive with anyone else. Pujara even said, “Virat, calm down.” Calm down.”
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