Virat Kohli’s quest for a historic century in the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup was met with controversy as a surprising call left cricket fans stunned. In a match between India and Bangladesh on Thursday (October 19), Kohli remained unbeaten on 103 runs from 97 balls, inching closer to his 48th ODI century. However, with only two runs needed for India’s victory, the Bangladeshi spinner Nasum Ahmed bowled a wide ball down the leg side on the first ball of the 42nd over.
This wide ball would have added an extra run to India’s score but also obstructed Kohli’s chance to reach his 48th ODI century in the World Cup for the first time since 2015. Despite the clear wide, on-field umpire Richard Kettleborough left everyone bewildered by refusing to call it as such.
The incident has sparked debates and discussions among cricket enthusiasts, with many expressing their disbelief over the controversial call. Some argue that the wide ball should have been awarded, as it clearly deviated down the leg side. They believe that denying Kohli the opportunity to reach his milestone century in such a manner was unfair.
On the other hand, there are those who defend the umpire’s decision, suggesting that the call was made based on a strict interpretation of the rules. According to them, the ball may not have crossed the guidelines for a wide delivery, hence Kettleborough’s decision to let play continue uninterrupted.
Despite the controversy surrounding the call, India secured a comfortable victory over Bangladesh by 7 wickets. Kohli’s exceptional innings played a crucial role in leading his team to this triumph. His unbeaten century showcased his remarkable batting skills and further solidified his reputation as one of the world’s finest cricketers.
As the cricket world reflects on this contentious moment, it reminds us of the importance of maintaining fairness and accuracy in umpiring decisions. The incident raises questions about the need for better technology and video review systems to reduce the occurrence of such controversies in the future.
