India needed just two runs to secure victory, and Virat Kohli required only three more runs to reach a century. However, during a crucial moment, Bangladesh spinner Nasum Ahmed bowled a leg-side delivery that narrowly missed Kohli’s pads. Surprisingly, Umpire Richard Kettleborough decided not to call it a wide.
This unexpected decision turned out to be a fortunate turn of events for Virat Kohli, as it provided him with an additional opportunity to achieve his 48th ODI century. He now stands just one century away from equaling Sachin Tendulkar’s record in the 50-over format.
According to the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), the guardians of the Laws of Cricket, a delivery is considered wide if it is not within reach for the striker to hit with a normal cricket stroke. However, the rules also specify that the umpire should not declare a delivery wide if the striker’s movement causes the ball to miss them.
Later, Deep Dasgupta humorously remarked, “Virat Kohli reached his century with a little help from KL Rahul and the umpire.”
#ViratKohli #indiavsbangladesh #INDvBAN #Umpire should be given the #IMPACT player of the match.
— ANKIT CHAUHAN (@ANKITCHAUHAN505) October 20, 2023
😂😂😂#ViratKohli #Pune #RichardKettleborough #TeamBharat pic.twitter.com/whHGuUD6n1
Umpire be like:- Kaha he wide maine toh nhi dekha!!🤣
— 𝒀𝒖𝒎𝒊𝒌𝒐🥂 (@SeherKiLadki) October 20, 2023
Respect for Umpire📈#RichardKettleborough #INDvsBAN pic.twitter.com/BKlfx1fFZo
Umpire be like ek century aur dila de #RichardKettleborough #INDvBAN #AUSvPAK #ICCWorldCup #ViratKohli pic.twitter.com/Gohzl8saxC
— Cricket trolls (@Divyans28919272) October 20, 2023
#RichardKettleborough Give him Bharat ratna..for not giving wide for the intentionally made wide delivery by Bangladeshi bowler.
— ketan kulkarni (@ketan_1990) October 20, 2023
❤️ pic.twitter.com/NMhUKp6kSM
BEST MOMENT OF THE MATCH. 😉#RichardKettleborough doesn't give wide to #ViratKohli
— Ravi Shankar shaw🇮🇳 (@RDancer09) October 19, 2023
Umpire Kettleborough had a cheeky smile when Nasum bowled in leg side while Kohli was on 97*. 👏
1 like = 1 clap for Umpire Kettleborough! 🙌 #ViratKohli #HardikPandya #indiavsbangladesh pic.twitter.com/qzzia7buSl
Best moment this World Cup!
— Karman Juneja (@JunejaKarman) October 19, 2023
Give this Umpire a medal! 🤣 LEGEND!#INDvsBAN #Umpire #Kohli pic.twitter.com/zrBlPgcsgp
In the end, Nasum Ahmed’s delivery to Kohli resulted in a six, securing Kohli’s century and India’s victory. Kohli celebrated with raised hands, acknowledging the crowd’s jubilation, and received a warm embrace from his batting partner. He had come down the track, met the ball on the full, and utilized a lofted shovel with his bottom hand to clear the boundary with ease.
