SA vs IND: Hosts’ broadcaster provides explanation on Dean Elgar’s controversial DRS call

Dean Elgar’s controversial DRS call on Thursday during South Africa’s third Test against India has created a lot of ruckuses. During the Proteas’ run-chase on Day three, on-field umpire Marais Erasmus gave Elgar out LBW off Ravi Ashwin after the ball struck the batter below the knee roll.

Although he used the DRS, the skipper of the home team had already started walking. But then, replays showed that the ball was missing the stumps by a long distance. The entire saga irked the Indian players, especially skipper Virat Kohli, on the field.

“Focus on your team while they shine the ball. Not just the opposition. Trying to catch people all the time,” Kohli said after going to the stump mic. KL Rahul, the Indian vice-captain, and Ashwin also had a few words to say.

In the meantime, SuperSport, the official broadcaster of the series, put across a GIF, giving an explanation on the DRS call. They suggested that bounce on the pitch at the Newlands in Cape Town played a major role in the decision.

SuperSport captioned the GIF and wrote, “The bounce of the pitch – a significant factor in Dean Elgar’s successful review.”

SuperSport’s post on Dean Elgar’s review

The bounce of the pitch – a significant factor in Dean Elgar's successful review.#SAvIND pic.twitter.com/GI2rXjgjwd

— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) January 13, 2022

Kohli, in the meantime, earned backlash from Gautam Gambhir for his unruly behaviour on the field. Gambhir termed Kohli ‘immature’ after the Indian skipper expressed his displeasure on the stump mic.

“Kohli is very immature. It’s worst for an Indian captain to say like this in stumps. By doing this you will never be an idol to youngsters,” Gambhir was quoted as saying on Star Sports.

Lungi Ngidi, who’s a part of the ongoing Test series, said that Kohli’s reaction was a sign of India being under immense pressure.

“Reactions like that show a bit of frustration and sometimes teams capitalize on that. You never want to show so much emotion, but we could see emotions were high. That tells us they are feeling a little bit of pressure,” Ngidi was quoted as saying.

At the close of play on Day three, South Africa needed 111 runs to win the Test with eight wickets in hand. Elgar got out to Jasprit Bumrah after India used the DRS to good effect.