Robert Craddock: King Kohli conquers as catch divides fans

Many observers categorically declared Virat Kohli’s dismissal was a straight out catch and there is no debate whatsoever. They have better eyes than I have, writes Crash Craddock.

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Few cricket events define and divide national loyalties more than a contentious catch.

For some strange and unexplainable reason, it almost seems like an act of treason not to jump behind your fieldsman or batsmen when there is a contentious call. It’s as if national dignity is at stake.

It’s all quite understandable but it does not change the fact that Virat Kohli does not have to apologise to anyone for standing his ground after being caught in slips in Perth.

Many observers categorically declared his dismissal was a straight out catch and there is no debate whatsoever.

WATCH THE CATCH IN THE VIDEO PLAYER ABOVE

Virat Kohli wasn’t happy with his questionable dismissal. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)

They have better eyes than I have.

I’ve watched it 10 times and am still not sure but the rules of the game make Kolhi’s reservation justified.

The passion surrounding the huge magnitude of the decision has many people arguing the wrong point.

How many times have you heard “that’s a deadset catch ... Handscomb’s hands were under the ball.’’

This matters, but only to a point.

There is little doubt Handscomb’s hands - or at least one finger - was under the ball.

Handscomb’s credibility is not under question.

He obviously could feel his finger under the ball.

That is all he needed to feel to appeal. It would have felt like a fair catch. Maybe it was.

But did it touch grass?

One of the issues with the rule is the difference between the spirit of it and the strict definition of it.

Most cricketers who have played the game at any level would feel a fair catch is one where your fingers are under the ball and no matter what else happens to the ball you would feel in your heart it would be a clean catch.

Peter Handscomb was confident he had his fingers under the ball. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

But by the strictest possible definition of the rules the ball only has to hit a solitary blade on the way down to be not out.

What is not in doubt is that even if he never played another innings in Australia Kohli is set to be remembered as one of the greatest batsmen to come to Australia.

This was his second slowest Test century and one of his best.

Through the generations there have been few batsmen who have visited Australia and left the home side bereft of ideas of how to get them out.

Englishmen Jack Hobbs (nine centuries in Australia) and Wally Hammond (seven) were great road warriors and in more modern times, Geoff Boycott, Chris Broad, Brian Lara, Faf du Plessis and Alastair Cook have had their moments.

Kohli argues after the catch. (AAP Image/Richard Wainwright)

But the relevant comparison is fellow Indian great Sachin Tendulkar who like Kohli has six centuries on Australian soil.

Talk about different beasts.

Tendulkar once did a tour here without doing a single press conference.

He was a man who played international cricket for two decades without all but his closest confidentes - and they were a small group - knew what he was thinking.

Kohli, by contrast, wears his heart on his sleeve.

The Indian skipper played an exceptional first innings knock. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Animated, restless, alert and forever looking for action, he is constantly on the move.

And he is tough. When he was struck a withering blow on the forearm during his century he reacted as if has been hit by a jelly bean rather than a cricket ball.

His energy is boundless.

When Marcus Harris was India’s first wicket after being bowled by a ball which jagged back Kohli rocked back and let out a prime-evil “c’moooooooon.’’

Later he was revving up Indian fans in the crowd as if this was Mumbai not Perth.

This is already a magnificent series and the best parts of it are yet to come.

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Originally published as Robert Craddock: King Kohli conquers as catch divides fans