New Zealand vs India: Yuzvendra Chahal helps Virat Kohli opt out of an incorrect DRS call

The Decision Review System (DRS) has etched itself as a crucial weapon on the field. But the downside of it is that teams get only a solitary DRS during an innings in ODIs. Only if the review is successful that sides get to retain it. On Saturday, February 8, Yuzvendra Chahal showed good presence of mind at the Eden Park in Auckland and helped India save an important DRS.

The Men in Blue could easily have lost their review at the start of the second ODI against New Zealand. In the third over, Shardul Thakur thudded opener Martin Guptill on the pad and appealed to the on-field umpire. The leather seemed to have slid down the leg-side and the umpire didn’t rule him out. It was then up to Virat Kohli and his men whether or not they should opt for the review.

Thakur was pretty interested in going for the DRS, so was skipper Virat. But Chahal didn’t quite sound confident as he felt India would end up missing it. In the end, the timer ran out and the visitors didn’t resort to the review. Chahal’s actions were pretty reminiscent of MS Dhoni. The veteran Indian mostly had his intuitions correct when it comes to using the DRS.

Here is the video of Chahal advising his teammates

https://t.co/1vwd7A8QDY

— Sam sharma (@SMmPMm) February 8, 2020

Guptill eventually went on to score 79 runs off 79 balls with the help of eight fours and three sixes. To start with, he was involved in a stand of 93 runs for the opening wicket along with Henry Nicholls, who chipped in with 41 off 59 balls with five fours. Guptill was looking good for a century, but a combined effort from Shardul Thakur and keeper KL Rahul cut short his stay in the middle.

He was Kiwis’ top run-scorer even as the hosts ended with 273 for eight in their 50 overs. Chahal had a decent day with his leg breaks as well. He picked up the first wicket, dismissing Nicholls. Then he accounted for Mark Chapman and opponent skipper Tim Southee’s wickets. The tweaker was a tad expensive though, giving away 58 runs in his 10 overs.