Royal Challengers Bengaluru pacer Reece Topley addressed the media in the post-match press conference after his side suffered yet another defeat in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 campaign. Topley, who wasn't part of RCB's XI in the match, summed up his franchise's verdict on the controversial dismissal of Virat Kohli in the match. The opening batter was given out caught and bowled by Harshit Rana. It was an above-waist-height full toss that sent Virat packing, though the debate on the matter was settled by the third umpire.
While RCB had little to argue about as far as the rules of the game are concerned, Topley suggested that it was a 'grey area' that resulted in Virat's dismissal.
"Obviously, those measurements are brought in to get rid of a grey area, and then you have something today that no one had thought of," Topley after the game.
"He (Kohli) was obviously out of his crease and the ball was over his hip high, then obviously he was out of his crease down the wicket. The measurement was taken with Virat inside the crease so it's a bit of a grey area. Obviously, it's fine margin and would be spoken about in a game where the victory margin is just one run," Topley further added in the press conference.
With the defeat, RCB have lost 7 of their first 8 matches, and are on the brink of elimination. But, the pacer asserted that the team is taking every game like a knockout event and are hoping to win the remaining matches.
"It's not absolute. We go about every game like we are going to win it and try the best of ourselves. We can finish with seven games and look back and say it was a respectful campaign," Topley said.
When a reporter pressed on the controversy around Kohli's dismissal, the English pacer gave a sharp reply, saying he can ask the same thing to the reporter.
"I can throw this back to you saying what was your opinion. It's tough...two people can have two different opinions. In our camp, we feel like it's a grey area, like uncharted territory, so probably you need more clarifications in the rule," he concluded.