Indian opener KL Rahul expressed frustration after a controversial decision by the TV umpire in the first Test against Australia in Perth.
Rahul, who had fought hard for his 26, was dismissed after a caught behind appeal from Mitchell Starc. The on-field umpire, Richard Kettleborough, initially ruled not out, but after the TV umpire, Richard Illingworth, requested more camera angles, he overturned the decision.
Replays showed a sound as the ball passed Rahul's bat before reaching keeper Alex Carey. However, a separate angle revealed Rahul's bat making contact with his pad. Despite this, Illingworth decided to overrule the on-field call due to the absence of additional angles, leaving Rahul stunned as he walked off.
Former umpire Simon Taufel supported Illingworth’s call, stating that the ball likely grazed the edge of Rahul's bat. However, others, including former Indian coach Ravi Shastri, felt there wasn't enough evidence to justify the decision.
The controversy intensified when the absence of hot spot technology, which could have confirmed the contact, was noted. Critics like Darren Lehmann called for Cricket Australia to invest in the technology for crucial matches, suggesting the lack of it was a cost-saving measure.
Rahul's dismissal was part of a tough opening session for India, where four wickets fell, with Starc and Josh Hazlewood leading Australia's attack.