‘What a joke’: Umpire Richard Kettleborough ‘bends rules’ for Virat Kohli

Umpire Richard Kettleborough was accused of bending the rules for star batter Virat Kohli during the ICC World Cup 2023 match between India and Bangladesh on Thursday in Pune.

The umpire didn’t call a clear wide in the 42nd over of the innings, when Kohli was batting on 97 and India were two runs away from victory. Kohli reached his ton and clinched victory for his side with a six on the third ball of the over.

Here is how X, formerly Twitter, reacted:

It must be noted that Kohli scored a ton as India maintained their perfect record in the World Cup with a clinical seven-wicket victory against Bangladesh.

Bangladesh were hoping to upset the India team, who went into the match with three straight wins, but in the absence of skipper Shakib Al Hasan, who sat out with a left quad injury, the task became harder.

Opting to bat, Bangladesh didn’t make good use of the 93-run opening stand between Litton Das and Tanzid Hasan and posted 256-8 on a batting pitch at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium.

It was a disciplined bowling display by India, bearing in mind that they were one bowler short from early in the match after Hardik Pandya twisted his ankle in his first over.

Skipper Rohit Sharma led India's quick reply, by scoring 48 runs in 40 balls, and Virat Kohli ended with an unbeaten 103, hitting a six to notch up his hundred and secure India's win with 51 balls to spare.