In the final session on day four of the first Test match between India and New Zealand in Bengaluru, when dark clouds hovered around the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, leading to the artificial light taking over, the on-field umpires decided to take the players off the field for safety reasons. The decision from the umpires wasn’t something Indian captain Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli liked, and they protested to them about stopping play due to bad light with India defending only 106 runs versus New Zealand.
The heated argument between two of the Indian stalwarts with the on-field umpires showed their desperation to put some pressure on the New Zealand opening batters late on day four with only a handful of runs at their disposal. But still, with Jasprit Bumrah steaming in with a brand new red ball under artificial light, it was a prudent decision from the umpires to stop play due to bad light despite India’s need to pick up early wickets to stay in the first Test.
Watch the video of Rohit and Kohli protesting to on-field umpires here:
New Zealand need 107 runs on fifth and final day in Bengaluru to win first Test in India since 1988
Shortly after, the heavens opened up at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru and it led to the umpires calling for stumps on day four of the first Test match between India and New Zealand. The play on the fifth and final day is set to begin on 9:15 AM IST with the hosts having a tough task to pick up 10 wickets in quick succession, while New Zealand needing only 107 runs to win their first Test match in India since 1988.
Here are some of the fans reactions after Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli protested to on-field umpires about decision to call for bad light: