"When Its Virat Kohli...": Twitter Divided Over Nitin Menon's Controversial "Non" Run Out Call

From Cameron Green's catch in the first Test to Jonny Bairstow's stumping in the second Test, the ongoing Ashes between England and Australia has been full of controversies. On Day 2 of the ongoing fifth and final Test at The Oval, the fans witnessed another controversy erupt when Australia batter Steve Smith survived a close run out call, with some help from TV umpire Nitin Menon. In the 78th over of Australia's first innings, Smith seemed to have fallen short when England's substitute fielder George Ealham and Bairstow combined to affect a run out.

The decision was referred to Menon, who after watching multiple angles came to a conclusion that Bairstow had removed one of the bails even before getting his hands on the ball.

While Smith was walking back to the dressing room, Menon gave the decision in his favour.

The decision received mixed reviews from the fans. While some lauded Menon for making a tough decision, others took a cheeky "Virat Kohli" dig at him.

Here's how Twitter reacted: 

Please must read law 29.1, The wicket is broken when at least one bail is completely removed from the top of the stumps.

The ball hasn't been removed from the top of the stumps. An excellent decision by Nitin Menon#Ashes2023pic.twitter.com/Oj33D5l5tB

— Abdul Basit (@BasitCric) July 28, 2023

I think that was a good decision considering the circumstances & the amount of time that you consume while making the decision.He truly deserves to be in the ICC elite list of umpires.#NitinMenon

— Biswajit Behera (@walrus_sea) July 29, 2023

No Doubt Why Nitin Menon is in ICC Elite Umpire list.!
Brave decision.!#Ashes23 #AUSvENG #ENGvAUS pic.twitter.com/NPLBIblj8w

— Avnish Tiwari (@avnishtiwarii) July 28, 2023

Every time #ViratKohli sees a list of umpires and it has #NitinMenon pic.twitter.com/xgcZbygseT

— Cricket Fever (@ShadabShei14945) July 29, 2023

That's top class decision by the third umpire Nitin Menon. pic.twitter.com/yKmgfG76MQ

— Cricketopia (@CricketopiaCom) July 28, 2023

Nitin Menon must not be allowed to do umpiring in any kind of International matches. pic.twitter.com/NrQTqKDcmV

— Husain (@husain_tweets18) July 29, 2023

Nitin Menon umpiring in other matches vs Nitin Menon umpiring when its Kohli pic.twitter.com/pMkkZDoeaO

— sourav (@Purplepatch22) July 22, 2023

The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) released a statement to explain the reason behind Menon's decision.

 "The wicket is broken when at least one bail is completely removed from the top of the stumps, or one or more stumps is removed from the ground.

"Tom Smith's Cricket Umpiring and Scoring, MCC's official interpretation of the laws of cricket, adds: "For the purposes of dismissal -- a bail has been removed at the moment that both ends of it leave their grooves." 

Topics mentioned in this article

England Cricket Team Australia Cricket Team Steven Smith Jonny Bairstow Ashes 2023 Cricket