KL Rahul expresses disbelief and disapproval after controversial dismissal in India vs Australia 1st Test

Rishabh Pant was in disbelief, just like some of the commentators, when KL Rahul was controversially given out during Day 1 of the 1st Test against Australia in Perth. Rahul, filling in for regular skipper Rohit Sharma as the opener, was the lone Indian batsman to resist the fierce pace attack, which had reduced the team to 47/4. Rahul, who was batting on 26 off 74 balls, survived a very close caught behind appeal. However, the decision was eventually overturned, leaving the batsman frustrated. Rahul couldn't help but chuckle at the umpire's decision and then expressed his displeasure towards the on-field officials before slowly making his way back to the pavilion.

Mitchell Starc got the ball to zoom past Rahul's outside edge, leading to a loud appeal. After the original decision was not out, Australia thought it through as they had previously lost a DRS against Rishabh Pant. Still, convinced by a sound that Alex Carey heard as the ball whizzed past Rahul, the review was taken. And that's when things turned controversial.

On the ultra-edge, a little spike was detected, but here's the catch. The replay showed that the bat hit the pad as well when Rahul attempted to leave the ball at the last minute. It all boiled down to one frame. When the spike appeared on the ultra-edge, there seemed to be a gap between the bat and the pad. Could the sound have been of Rahul's batting hitting the pad? Well, his expressions sure did say so. Rahul was ready to take strike when he realised that the dreaded OUT had appeared on the giant screen, leaving him shellshocked.

Mark Nicholas while doing commentary, said on air: "I believe there was something tricky at the stump mic. Watch the replay. I am not sure there was enough evidence to overturn that decision. Having said that, the English third umpire Richard Kettleborough has done just that. From that [angle], let's be honest, the frames don't match."