'Could be costly': Virat Kohli hits out after review controversy

Indian captain Virat Kohli has criticised video officials over a review blunder that proved costly for his side in the third Twenty20 international against Australia on Tuesday night.

The tourists suffered a 12-run loss to Australia in the final T20 at the SCG, during which India were denied a crucial review and wicket.

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Kohli failed to drag India to victory, however his swashbuckling innings of 85 was full of shots that suggest the right-hander is physically and mentally ready for his first and final Test on tour.

Matthew Wade's 80 was the highlight of Australia's total of 5-186 but the Aussie opener would have been out on 50 if Kohli was allowed to proceed with a referral.

Umpires Rod Tucker and Gerard Abood initially accepted India's belated review of an lbw shout despite the fact a replay had flashed on the scoreboard.

"They referred it off the big screen," Wade objected.

Third umpire Paul Wilson quickly told his on-field colleagues that "it's a null and void review" as per the playing conditions that dictate no replays shall be shown on a big screen until the 15-second period for consideration expires.

The message was relayed to an incredulous Kohli, who walked away and shook his head after speaking with the umpires.

"That lbw was a strange one because we were still discussing whether the ball was going down and within the 15-second time frame they showed the replay on screen," Kohli told reporters.

"I had a chat with Rod, (asking) 'what do we do in this situation?'.

"He said 'nothing can be done, it was a mistake from TV'.

"In a very important game this could be very costly. So that was a little bit of a miss from the guys upstairs."

Umpire ‘got it dead right’

Despite India's on-field protests, former Australia Test captain Mark Taylor said officials made the right call to deny the tourists the review.

"The umpire has got it dead right in the end to knock back the review," Taylor told Wide World of Sports.

"I didn't think they were going to review it at all, but I must admit watching it live I thought it was close.

"You could see that KL Rahul, the keeper, had gone way down the leg side so his initial reaction was that it is going down leg and I think the bowler was led by the way his keeper had gone down leg.

"It wasn't until the review came up that they thought, 'Wow that's close' and then they tried to review it late."

Tuesday's T20 was played in front of 30,436 fans after the NSW government relaxed restrictions on crowd sizes for sporting events.

Few seemed to enjoy the atmosphere as much as Kohli, who is among the stars coming off an IPL that featured no crowds.

"This has been a pleasant change. You sometimes find yourself in difficult situations then the energy and passion of the fans pulls you through," Kohli said.

"That's one factor that has helped us.

"I've felt really, really good having crowds ... it gives you an added boost."

The classy batsman is unsure whether he will play India's pink-ball tour game, which starts at the SCG on Friday, or rest before the first Test starts at Adelaide Oval on December 17.

"If I feel great I'll definitely play. If not, I'll speak to the physio and trainer, and maybe get a few days off and be fresh for the first Test," Kohli said.

Kohli, who is returning home after the pink-ball Test for the birth of his first child, said he felt "particularly good" batting in the third T20.

"I was a bit scratchy in the first ODI but I addressed a few things ... when I get into a good headspace, I feel like I can play and switch between formats," he said.

"I'm in the right headspace."

with AAP

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