The controversy stirred during India’s World Cup 2023 match against Bangladesh when Virat Kohli, the Indian batting superstar, approached a century in the run chase. Umpire Richard Kettleborough’s decision not to signal a clear wide when Kohli was at 97 runs and India needed just two runs for victory added to the drama.
In the 39th over, with Kohli on 97, he comfortably secured a single off the first ball, with KL Rahul returning the strike to him. What followed was a shift in focus from the India-Bangladesh match to Kohli’s pursuit of a century.
During this critical moment, Kohli received a delivery down the leg side from Bangladesh’s left-arm spinner, Nasum Ahmed. This prompted a displeased and intense glare from the batsman towards the bowler. Umpire Richard Kettleborough, however, chose not to signal it as a wide ball. Replays later confirmed it was a bad call, and Kettleborough wouldn’t be proud of it. He even shook his head when he saw it on the big screen.
As per ICC rules, a wide ball is determined by where the batter is standing, where the striker stood at any point since the bowler began their run-up, and whether it would have passed wide of the striker in a normal batting position.
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Following this controversy, Nasum bowled a full toss to Kohli, who easily smashed it for a six to complete his 48th ODI century with 103 runs not out. India won the game convincingly by 7 wickets, marking their fourth consecutive victory in the World Cup 2023 mega event.
India is in its absolute best form since the beginning of the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023. It has so far won all four matches including the win against Pakistan. Pakistan on the other hand is struggling in the event.