Not The 1st Time This Umpire Is In Spotlight, His Reaction To Dhoni¡¯s Run-Out In 2019 Was Unmissable
Richard Kettleborough, in his wildest imagination, wouldn't have guessed that his close call of not signalling wide during yesterday's World Cup clash between India and Bangladesh would make him the centre of attraction among the Indian fans.?
But it seems that Indian fans are amused with his decision and the reaction on his face that followed. So much so that they have, on a lighter note, 'demanded a Bharat Ratna' for ICC's senior umpire.
What decision of his has got the internet abuzz
The stage was set as Kohli was batting on 97, and India needed only two runs to achieve the target of 257 as a double treat was on the cards for Indian fans of witnessing the star batter's 48th ODI century and a dominating end to the largely one-sided affair.?
As KL Rahul has now revealed, the build-up to the century was on his advice, and he coaxed Kohli to avoid giving away strike to him and end the contest with a big hit despite Kohli's disapproval of the same.?
Acting on it, Kohli then refused singles, took one only at the last ball for three consecutive overs to retain strike and went for the big hits to complete his ton while everything else appeared insignificant in the dying stages of India's chase on Thursday.?
But the start of the 42nd over brought along a rather unusual scenario - with Kohli on 97 and India requiring two runs to beat Bangladesh, left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed spun one down the leg side.?
Kohli didn't react gently to that and looked fiercely at the bowler. While it seemingly had no impact on the bowler, a faction of cricket lovers believe that it undoubtedly influenced Kettleborough not to call it a wide.?
But if we go by the rule change on October 1 last year by Marylebone Cricket Club, the guardian of cricket laws, that delivery was not wide as the new decree has been incorporated to help bowlers with batters' movement at the crease.?
Everything set aside, Kohli didn't let go of the opportunity and deposited a low full toss for a six in the same over, thereby completing his century.
How?Kettleborough reacted to heartbreaking Dhoni run-out in the 2019 WC
This is not the first time Kettleborough has attracted attention from Indian fans, and interestingly, the incident being talked about here is from the previous edition of the ODI World Cup in 2019. India had cruised to the semi-finals and of the tournament owing to impeccable performances by Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Virat Kohli and others.?
The Men In Blue were a step away from reaching the finals of the marquee tournament, but New Zealand crushed the hopes of Indian fans and defended a fairly low score of 239. While India struggled during the chase, with the top order collapsing, Ravindra Jadeja, with a brilliant knock of 77 of 59 balls, fought back at the lower order with MS Dhoni acting as the anchor. But after Jadeja was dismissed, the responsibility of snatching a win fell on Dhoni alone.?
The veteran finisher brought the match down to a situation where India needed 25 of 10 deliveries with his composed yet calculated innings. At this point, Indian fans were hoping that Dhoni would repeat his heroics of the past and win the match for the country. But what followed was very upsetting for India as Martin Guptill ran out Dhoni while the latter tried to steal an extra run to retain the strike.
?But interestingly, Kettleborough was standing in as the leg umpire and was responsible for judging whether the batter was out. He did the wise thing and referred the call to the third umpire, but not before showing some emotions on his face with a sharp intake of breath.
The face was a sign that this was such a big match and moment that even one of the most neutral supervisors of the game could not hide his feelings about it. While he maintained his impartial stance, and his gesture did not betray any allegiance, it was the only thing that helped Indians cope with the soul-crushing loss.
Who is Richard Kettleborough?
Richard Kettleborough was a left-hand top-order batsman and occasional seamer who was a member of the Yorkshire Cricket Club for several seasons and sat on the sidelines for quite some time. He hit his only hundred in 1996, but the next year, he only played thrice for them. He signed with Middlesex afterwards, where a position for opener was available.
There, he had more elaborate chances as he was allowed to feature in 20 matches and was released at the end of 1999. He continued to play with great success in Yorkshire club cricket, and in 2006, he was added to the ECB list of umpires. He made his international umpiring debut in the Twenty20 between England and Australia at Old Trafford in 2009 and was in the panel of 18 umpires for the World Cup in India in 2011. Later the same year, he was promoted to the ICC's Elite Panel and, 38 at the time, was the youngest man in the group. In 2013, just two years after getting into the Elite Panel, Kettleborough won the ICC's Umpire of the Year award.
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