KKR vs RCB: Virat Kohli wrongly adjusted out by third umpire? Controversial decision explained

The recently-concluded game between Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Eden Gardens witnessed a big controversy due to Virat Kohli's dismissal.

The former RCB captain came out all guns blazing as he raced away to 18 runs in just six balls with the help of two sixes and one four. However, he could not last long as his knock came to an end on the first ball of the third over when Harshit Rana took a catch on his own bowling to give KKR a huge breakthrough.

It was a high full toss from Rana and Virat Kohli miscued his shot straight back to the bowler. As soon as the umpire raised his finger, Virat Kohli decided to review it for a no-ball. The right-handed batsman was confident that the ball was above his waistline and should be adjudged a no-ball.

However, the third umpire also gave his decision in the bowler's favour and Virat Kohli looked absolutely furious with the decision. The India batting superstar was involved in a heated exchange with the on-field umpires before walking off the field. He was also seen shaking his head in disappointment in the dugout after his dismissal.

Here's why Virat Kohli was out:

The replays showed that Virat Kohli was well outside the crease when he played the ball. Third umpire Michael Gough pointed it out while reviewing the dismissal. Apart from that, the umpire also used the newly-introduced  Hawk-Eye ball tracking technology to check the legitimacy of the delivery.

According to the technology, the ball would have passed the right-handed batsman at 0.92 metres from the ground if he had been upright at the crease. The height of Kohli's waist had been measured beforehand at 1.04 metres and so, the ball would have passed below his waist had he been on his crease. As a result, the umpire called it a legal delivery.

In order to remove any confusion over no-balls above the waist this season, the IPL had introduced the Hawk-Eye ball tracking technology to measure the height of the ball while it passes the player at the striker's end. The height is then matched against the toe-to-waist height of the player when in an upright position, which is measured and recorded in advance.

The delivery is deemed legal if the height of the ball is lower than the recorded height of the player's waist. Otherwise, it is adjudged a no-ball.