'Worst umpire I've ever seen': Twitter furious with Virender Sharma after controversial Virat Kohli LBW dismissal

Virat Kohli was adjudged LBW on his fourth ball of the innings during the second Test in Mumbai.

Virat Kohli's dismissal on the first day of the second Test against New Zealand set Twitter alight with fans criticising the umpires on a rather controversial decision. The Indian captain, who made a return to the XI for the first time since the T20 World Cup, was adjudged LBW on his fourth ball of the innings, as he departed for a duck.

New Zealand players appeal for the dismissal of India's captain Virat Kohli, right, during the day one of second test cricket match against India in Mumbai, India, Friday, Dec. 3, 2021. (AP)

After he was given out by the on-field umpire Anil Choudhary, Kohli reviewed the dismissal but the third umpire was forced to stick with the original decision due to inconclusive evidence. During the review, the third umpire Virender Sharma deemed that bat and pad remain too close to the ball at the point of contact, and that the initial impact point couldn't be ascertained.

Virat Kohli was shocked at the decision as he shook his head while leaving the field, and further showed his disagreement on the boundary line as he waved his bat across the rope.

The fans on Twitter were also enraged with the decision. Here's how the fans reacted to Kohli's dismissal:

Earlier, India had won the toss and opted to bat in the second and final Test of the series. There were a number of notable absentees in the game for India as Ajinkya Rahane, Ishant Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja are all missing the game due to injuries.

Along with Virat Kohli, Mohammed Siraj and Jayant Yadav are the two players who made a return to the XI.