A wave of controversy swept through the cricketing world during India’s crucial World Cup 2023 match against Bangladesh, revolving around the batting maestro Virat Kohli and a questionable decision by umpire Richard Kettleborough.
The incident occurred as Virat Kohli approached a century in the thrilling run chase. With Kohli at a remarkable score of 97, and India needing just two runs to secure a vital victory, tensions ran high. The drama unfolded when Kohli comfortably secured a single off the first ball of the 39th over, with KL Rahul returning the strike to him.
Crucially, umpire Richard Kettleborough chose not to signal a wide despite the delivery being down the leg side. The decision took the focus away from the India-Bangladesh match and turned it into a spectacle centered around Kohli’s quest for a century. Replays indicated that it was a wide delivery, a point that Kettleborough would likely regret, as he himself shook his head in disbelief when viewing the incident on the big screen.
The moment was caught on camera and shared widely on social media, generating a mix of reactions from cricket fans. The issue of whether the delivery had any impact on the bowler, Nasum Ahmed, remains open to interpretation. However, the controversy surrounding the decision to not signal a wide ball overshadowed the crucial juncture of the match.
Under ICC rules and regulations, a wide is determined based on where the batter is standing, considering the position of the striker since the bowler began their run-up. Yet, this rule has faced criticism for its ambiguity and potential for varying interpretations.
In the wake of the contentious incident, Kohli continued his innings, and after the next delivery, Nasum bowled a full toss, which Kohli efficiently dispatched for a six. This impressive shot secured Kohli’s 48th ODI century, and he finished unbeaten with 103 runs. India went on to win the game convincingly by seven wickets, marking their fourth consecutive victory in the World Cup 2023.
