Photo: Express Web
Pune: The umpire flouted the rules to complete Virat Kohli’s century in the match against Bangladesh.
In the ICC World Cup 2023 match between India and Bangladesh at the Pune Cricket Stadium on Thursday, umpire Richard Kettleborough did not give a clear wide ball to Kohli to complete his century.
In the 42nd over, when Kohli was batting on 97 runs and needed three runs to complete his century, India was just two runs away from victory.
In such a situation, Bangladeshi bowler Naseem Ahmed bowled the first ball of the 42nd over wide, but the umpire allegedly did not declare it a wide ball to benefit Kohli as it would have leveled the score and Kohli’s century could have been in jeopardy.
After the second ball was dot, Kohli hit a six on the third ball to not only complete his century but also hit the winning shot for the team.
Social media users are accusing the umpire of breaking the rules to complete Virat Kohli’s century.
Just came across the video of Umpire not giving wide to Virat Kohli!
It would be a clear wide on any day. Even Kohli’s reaction said the same. Nothing against Virat’s effort, but this is not right for an umpire to be influenced by a player’s milestone.
Today, it was for a… pic.twitter.com/Y0RDeutINz
— Himanshu Pareek (@Sports_Himanshu) October 19, 2023
Brilliant hundred from King Kohli but umpire not giving a clear wide and then expressing a smirk, openly telling everyone that he bent rules for Kohli, has to be the most shameless play of cricket in a world cup. Cricket has truly become a joke.
— Hassan (@Gotoxytop2) October 19, 2023
Why did the umpire not signal wide when the bowler delivered one way down the leg side when Kohli was on 97*? Do we really need to play this World Cup @sanjaymanjrekar ? #CWC2023 #INDvBAN pic.twitter.com/eZ0piHOee9
— Nibraz Ramzan (@nibraz88cricket) October 19, 2023
It should be noted that in this match, India has won the fourth consecutive victory in the World Cup by defeating Bangladesh by seven wickets. In the match, Virat Kohli became the top scorer for India by scoring his 48th century of his ODI career and was also declared the man of the match.
Virat Kohli is just one century away from equaling Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 49 centuries in ODIs. Rohit Sharma is third with 31 centuries.
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