3 times a batter would have survived had he reviewed a caught behind decision ft. Mitchell Marsh
Batters have the task of protecting their bat edges to prevent a caught-behind dismissal, one of the most common methods of losing wickets across formats. It is also one of the trickiest cases for umpires to decode on some occasions because the noise generated by the faint edge often gets drowned out by the sound from the stands.
Unlike contentious LBW calls, there is no gray area when it comes to caught behind. Any contact between the bat and ball, no matter how minuscule, results in the dismissal of the batter. In the case, where batters have been wrongly adjudged out by the on-field, the provision of DRS allows them to take the decision to the third umpire. It is a safe option since the batters are more or less aware of whether their bat has made contact with the ball or not.
However, in some cases, the batters themselves are not quite sure, and opt to walk away certain that they have edged it. They either do not wait for the umpire's decision or choose not to challenge the umpire in case they have been given out.
On that note, let us take a look at three times a batter would have survived had he reviewed a caught-behind decision.
#1 Mitchell Marsh (2nd Test vs India; 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar series; Adelaide Oval)
The ongoing second 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test in Adelaide has had its faith share of controversial and bizarre moments. All-rounder Mitchell Marsh was part of both, in the space of a few overs. He was in the thick of things when the third-umpire failed to find conclusive evidence on an LBW call off Ashwin's bowling.
Against the same bowler, Marsh tried to defend as the ball sneaked past the edge, and into the wicket-keeper's gloves. All it took was a bleak appeal by Rishabh Pant, and the all-rounder turned back to walk to the pavilion before waiting for the on-field umpire's decision.
Replays later showed that there was a slight gap between the bat and the ball, and there was no spike on Snicko as well. The real-time footage did include a faint noise, but that presumably emerged due to the bat hitting the pad.
#2 Virat Kohli (2019 ODI World Cup league stage match vs India; Old Trafford, Manchester)
Team India were cruising in the 2019 ODI World Cup clash against arch-rivals Pakistan, on the back of Rohit Sharma's hundred. All Kohli had to do was carry on with the momentum after a mammoth partnership for the first wicket. He played his role to perfection, scoring a quickfire fifty, and was on the lookout to apply the final touches as well.
Kohli had to deal with a sharp bouncer from Mohammed Amir in the 48th over, which he missed while trying to play the pull shot. The bowler started celebrating in his follow-up, and Kohli chose to walk back despite no reaction from the umpire.
Replays showed that the ball was well over Kohli's head, and was nowhere close to his bat. He was seen holding his face in embarrassment in the dressing room as he abandoned his innings on 77 runs off 65 deliveries.
#3 David Warner (2021 T20 World Cup semi-final vs Pakistan; Dubai International Stadium)
Australia were tasked with chasing down 177 against a red-hot Pakistan side for a place in the final of the 2021 T20 World Cup. The Men in Yellow landed in early trouble as skipper Aaron Finch departed in the first over of the run chase.
Warner played a huge role in the proceedings by launching a counter-attack to stabilize the innings. The explosive batter was looking in ominous touch, and had raced off to 49 runs off 29 deliveries. In the first ball of the 11th over, the left-handed player attempted to take on Shadab Khan through the off-side.
However, he missed and Sarfaraz Ahmed collected the ball behind the stumps. Both the bowler and wicketkeeper began celebrating straightaway as umpire Chris Gaffaney also raised his finger.
However, Snicko showed that there was no outside edge, and the ball was away from the outside edge. Warner surprisingly thought otherwise and started walking back without even considering a review.