'TV Umpire Lacked Sufficient Evidence For Crucial Call,' Says Sanjay Manjrekar On KL Rahul's Controversial Dismissal

India opener KL Rahul's dismissal on the first day of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test in Perth has ignited a heated debate over the usage of the Decision Review System (DRS) as former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar questioned the quality of technological support provided to the third umpire. The incident occurred just before lunch, leaving India reeling at 47 for 4 after opting to bat on a challenging surface. Rahul, who had displayed immense patience in his 74-ball innings of 26, was adjudged caught behind off Mitchell Starc after Australia opted for a review. On-field umpire Richard Kettleborough had initially given him not out. 

However, third umpire Richard Illingworth overturned the decision based on Snicko, which showed a spike as the ball passed Rahul's bat.

Rahul, visibly frustrated, walked off shaking his head, indicating that the noise was caused by the bat hitting the pad, not the ball. This dismissal left the Indian camp and fans questioning the reliability and sufficiency of the evidence used to make such a critical call.

Speaking on Star Sports, former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar criticised the decision-making process and the quality of evidence provided to the TV umpire.

"First of all, disappointed with what was provided to the TV umpire," Manjrekar said on Star Sports. "He should have got more evidence. Based on just a couple of angles, I don't think such an important decision in the match should have been made. My point is, with the naked eye there's only one certainty and that's the pad being hit by the bat. It's the only visual certainty we've got that with the naked eye. For everything else, you needed the aid of technology, which is Snicko."

Manjrekar further explained that Snicko should have