In the 17th match of the ongoing ODI World Cup 2023, India beat Bangladesh by 7 wickets. In a terrific run chase, Indian batter Virat Kohli scored his 48th ODI ton and led the team to victory. However, his century ended in controversy as umpire Richard Kettlebrough didn’t give a clear wide to help Kohli.
Kohli’s desire to reach his century added a new twist to the one-sided India vs. Bangladesh World Cup 2023 match at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune. Kohli avoided taking singles, only taking one at the last ball for three consecutive overs to keep the strike. He went for big hits to secure his 48th ODI century, with everything else fading into the background during the final moments of India’s chase on Thursday.
Meanwhile, umpire Richard Kettleborough contributed to the drama by not calling a clear wide when Kohli was batting at 97 and India needed only two runs to win. The start of the 42nd over intensified the already unusual situation. Kohli, at 97, showed his displeasure at the bowler as the ball went down the leg side. Despite replays confirming it was a wide, umpire Kettleborough chose not to call it one. Kettlebrough’s decision helped Kohli complete his century, but it didn’t go well with the international cricket community.
Rohit Sharma becomes the highest-run scorer in the tournament
In the ongoing tournament, the Indian batting line-up has been phenomenal. Everyone has contributed amazingly to India’s campaign from skipper Rohit Sharma to middle-order batters. In the run chase against Bangladesh, Rohit started well by scoring quick runs. His amazing batting performance helped India put up a great start with the bat. The skipper scored 48 runs off 40 deliveries with the help of seven fours and two sixes.
His batting performance helped him become the highest run scorer of the ongoing tournament. He surpassed Kiwi batter, Devon Conway. In four innings, Rohit has 265 runs at an average of 65.67. Rohit is followed by Virat Kohli, who has 259 runs in 4 innings at an average of 129.65. Meanwhile, Conway has 249 runs in four innings at an average of 83. The tournament is going to be the biggest runfest due to the batting conditions.
Here is how fans react to Richard Kettlebrough’s decision:
For Umpire 😕 pic.twitter.com/hPhVJancUt
— Cricket XTREME (@CRICKET_GOAT) October 19, 2023
The only time wide wasnt needed ? haha
— §??€ (@berlin2okyo) October 19, 2023
Pakistan: pic.twitter.com/fKQDvdsxWN
— Ganesh Joshi (@ganeshjoshi2001) October 19, 2023
Well is he the same umpire when MS Dhoni was given run out in the match against New Zealand?
— TIAR (@TIARevolution) October 19, 2023
My love for both KL and umpire has increased ?
— Dr. Aditi (@aditisinghSA) October 19, 2023
Everyone including umpire want King Kohli to hit century.
— Kirkett (@bhaskar_sanu08) October 19, 2023
Richard kettleborough hai isliye century ho gyi nitin Menon hota to ?? no ball bhi deta
— Kanhaiya Lal Saran (@SaranKL_) October 19, 2023
UMPIRE BHI KING KOHLI KA FAN HAI pic.twitter.com/XyZFEsBgvR
— Andleeb Akhtar ?? (@mr_akhtar_17) October 19, 2023
Nahi Bhai in last Kohli ne 103 banaye ?
— Nishi Patel (@Nishi_45) October 19, 2023
