'I think his fingers are clearly underneath the ball' - Ricky Ponting opines after Virat Kohli survives close call in fifth Test match

On the very first ball of his innings, Virat Kohli survived a dismissal, getting a much-needed lifeline. The controversial decision came on the last ball of the eighth over when Scott Boland was bolwing. He delivered a back of length delivery and Kohli nicked the ball. It went to Steven Smith, standing at the second slip, who tried to take the catch but the ball was dripped downwards. It then slipped from Smith's hand and went to the fielder at the gully. 

While the on-field umpires were confused about the decision, they went upstairs to get concrete evidence. The third umpire went through all the footages given and came to a conclusion that it was not out as the ball was touching the grass while Smith held it. This decision wasn't entertained by former Australia cricketer Ricky Ponting as he claimed it to be out. 

"As far as I was concerned, if (the ball) had've come out of (Smith's) hand, he wouldn't have been able to scoop it up. That's what I'm saying, I think his fingers are clearly underneath the ball ... look where his pointer figure is there, it's still underneath the ball," said Ricky Ponting on AIR.

Virat Kohli departs for 17 runs with usual style of dismissal

After facing 68 balls, Virat Kohli went on to do the same mistake as always, play the outside off stump ball and throw away the wicket when the team is in need of it. Scott Boland was successful enough to dismiss the batter once again with the simple delivery. This is the seventh time Kohli has been dismissed in such a manner. 

He was batting brilliantly before going after the ball unnecessarily. At this moment, India are struggling hard to keep wickets from one end. They have already lost four wickets in 32 overs. It seems like Jasprit Bumrah's decision to bat first isn't helping India from anywhere. Now Rishabh Pant is the only pure batter left on the crease, who is playing on 10 runs, as we write.