Dinesh Karthik Cheekily Asks Nasser Hussain To Enter Pakistan Dressing Room And Give Virat Kohli Sermons

Karthik takes a Virat Kohli jibe at Nasser Hussain [Source: AFP]

Nasser Hussain, the former England cricketer, is one of the most famous commentators in the modern era, and the ex-England captain has the tactical knowledge that he often shares with the viewers in the commentary box.

His camaraderie with Dinesh Karthik, the former Indian cricketer, is well known, as the two often engage in cheeky banter and pull each other’s legs during their commentary stints together. One such incident occurred during Day 1 of the England vs Pakistan Headingley Test match on Wednesday.

Karthik cheekily urges Hussain to give DRS advice to Pakistan

After Pakistan got bundled out for a paltry 171, England openers, Emilio Gay and Ben Duckett, came out to bat in the third session. The visitors needed an early wicket, and Mohammad Abbas thought he had one when the right-arm pacer trapped Ben Duckett plumb in front.

The on-field umpire gave Duckett not out as Pakistan went upstairs for a DRS review. The original decision stood firm as the ball was pitching in line, but the wicket was umpire’s call as Duckett survived by the barest of margins.

Abbas was dejected, and Hussain, who was on commentary, echoed the same, as he believed Pakistan was undone by the umpire’s call and the decision should have been in the visitors’ favour. The English legend stated that Mohammad Rizwan was given out on the umpire’s call, and Duckett survived.

Karthik was patiently waiting in the commentary box as he cheekily pulled Hussain’s legs and stated that he should enter the Pakistan dressing room to teach them how DRS works. He indirectly reminded Hussain how he questioned Virat Kohli and Ben Stokes when the duo wanted to get rid of the umpire’s call.

When Nasser Hussain batted for umpire's call in DRS

A couple of years ago (2024), Nasser Hussain went against Virat Kohli and Ben Stokes’ idea to get rid of the umpire’s call in DRS.

The then England captain, Stokes, raised questions over the necessity of 'umpire's call' in DRS. According to Stokes, if it's hitting or clipping the stumps, it should be given out; it doesn't matter what the on-field decision is.

Also Read: Nasser Hussain Rants Against BCCI; Takes A Stand For Pakistan

Kohli also had the same opinion, as the former India Test captain wanted the umpire’s call rule to be altered. However, Hussain was against the decision, as he was a strong advocate of the importance of the umpire's call.

"Technology can be fallible but I've always been very strong on the fact I like the DRS and I also like umpire's call. Look at the shemozzle with VAR in football. It's just not like that in cricket. Stokes and others like Virat Kohli may want to get rid of it but umpire's call is not there to protect the officials it's there because of the margin of error in the technology," Hussain wrote in DailyMail.

What is the issue with umpire's call in DRS?

One major issue with the umpire’s call has been that two identical deliveries can give contrasting results: one given out and one not out—just because the on-field umpires made different initial calls.

Even when the technology shows the ball hitting the stumps by the barest of margins, the batter remains not out (or vice versa), just because the on-field umpire gave that original call.

However, when a similar incident happened with Rizwan, he was given out because the original decision went against him. Hence, a lot of international cricketers have urged the ICC to reconsider the rules regarding the DRS.

Also Read: International Cricket Team’s Head Coach Exits Role After 3 Months Ahead Of World Cup 2027