Explained: Why Virat Kohli was given out in the 2024 IPL game against KKR

Virat Kohli's dismissal in the IPL 2024 fixture between the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Eden Gardens on Sunday, April 21 has become a subject of debate.

Although there are contrasting views among the fans, pundits and former players, let us now look at the reasons as to why it was a fair decision.

The incident happened during the first ball of the third over, which was bowled by Harshit Rana. The KKR pacer bowled a slower full-toss, which was above the waist height of Virat Kohli. However, the former RCB captain was standing well outside his crease when he played the ball.

The ball was top-edged and Harshit Rana took the catch. After he was given out by the on-field umpire, Virat Kohli instantly reviewed the decision. TV umpire Michael Gough used the new Hawk-Eye ball-tracking technology to check whether it was a legal delivery for height.

It has to be noted that the ball would have passed Virat Kohli at 0.92 metres from the ground if he was upright at the crease. The height of Virat Kohli's waist has been measured at 1.04 metres, which means the ball would have passed well below his waist had he been at his crease and not outside it, thereby making it a legal delivery.

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Sixth consecutive loss for RCB in the 2024 IPL

Having won the toss, RCB skipper Faf du Plessis opted to bowl first on a hot and humid afternoon in Kolkata. Powered by opener Phil Salt's 48 off just 14 balls, which included seven fours and three sixes at an astonishing strike rate of 342.86, the hosts got off to a flyer, amassing 56 runs for the first wicket partnership in 4.2 overs.

Although wickets were falling at regular intervals, the Knight Riders managed to post 222-6 in 20 overs with Shreyas Iyer top-scoring for the franchise with a captain's knock of 50 off 36 balls. Chasing 223 runs for their second victory of the season, the Royal Challengers eventually lost the edge-of-the-seat thriller by a margin of just one run.

Half-centuries from Will Jacks and Rajat Patidar weren't enough to secure two points for the visitors as they were bowled out for 221 runs in 20 overs. This was RCB's sixth consecutive loss in the ongoing IPL campaign. With just two points from eight matches, they are in the last spot in the points table.