With only two runs required for India to win and three required for Virat Kohli to get his 78th International hundred. Bangladesh left arm spinner Nasum Ahmed bowled a delivery that whizzed past the batters’ pads down the leg thud into wicketkeeper gloves. The on-field umpire felt it was not wide as per ICC rules, But Public is public, they made it controversy rather enjoy Virat century and India win. In the recent world cup match umpire Kettleborough has come under criticism from the non-Indian fans and media after his non-wide during world cup 2023 match with Bangladesh in Pune. Virat hit third ODI world cup century and his first since 2015 world cup. Virat Kohli scored 103 not out in 97 balls.
An expert on the official broadcaster post-match show, later quipped Virat got to his hundred with a little help from KL Rahul and then the Umpire.
Even Kuldeep Yadav, Kohli’s teammate, saw the funny side of the things as he laughed gleefully in the dugout when the wide appeals from the Bangladesh players fell on the deaf ears.
The umpire decision ultimately provided Kohli with an additional opportunity to get to his 48th ODI century. He is now one ton away from equalling Sachin Tendulkar’s record in the 50 over format.
Wide law was modified in 2022: Was not giving wide decision by the umpire correct in case of Virat Kohli???
In March 2022, the MCC announced a new code of laws regarding wide balls from initial standing positions. When we look at this instance it can be observed that Virat Kohli shuffled a bit from the initial position. If he had not shuffled, ball would have hit him on the leg or thigh.
What does law say: -
In the modern games, batters are, more the ever moving laterally around the crease before the ball is bowled, So MCC gave statement 'It was felt unfair that a delivery might be called WIDE, if it passes where the batter had stood as the bowler entered his/her delivery stride.
Therefore, Law 22.1 has been amended so that a wide will apply where the batter is standing, where the striker has stood at any point since the bowler would also have passed wide of the striker in a normal batting position".
According to the custodians of the Laws of Cricket, ‘A ball will be considered as passing wide of the striker unless it is sufficiently within reach for him/her to be able to hit it with the bat by means of a normal cricket stroke".
But the rules also add, ‘The umpire shall not adjudge a delivery as being a wide, if the striker, by moving, either causes the ball to pass wide of him/her".
Former International umpire Vinayak Kulkarni said," Normal wide in one day cricket is any ball pitching outside the leg-stump and going down is wide. But it comes with a rider. Had the striker not moved and had the ball hit him, it wouldn't be wide though it goes down the leg.
So,we can conclude that Umpire Richard Kettleborough was correct in his assessment of not giving it a wide. So, let’s enjoy the century of one of greatest cricketer
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