The match between India and Bangladesh in the 2022 T20 World Cup ended with a few controversies. While there were questions raised over the condition of the ground when the play resumed after the rain-break, on the other hand, Bangladesh’s keeper-batter Nurul Hasan had accused Virat Kohli of ‘fake fielding’.
The aforementioned incident took place before the rain break when Virat Kohli seemingly fake-fielded as openers Litton Das and Nazmul Hossain Shanto ran 2. It happened in the 7th over of Bangladesh’s innings, when Liton Das played the ball towards the deep off-side field off Axar Patel. As India’s Arshdeep Singh threw the ball back, Virat Kohli, who was standing at point, feigned a throw as the ball whistled past him.
Dear @ICC it’s not fake fielding?
Shame on. ICC = Indian Cricket Council. pic.twitter.com/5I79hHwLFC— Mohammad Ridwan (@HridoyK28926987) November 2, 2022
The video from the incident went crazily viral on the internet after the match, with many Bangladeshi fans and cricketers demanding a five-run penalty or strict action against India. It has now been reported by Cricbuzz that the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) will raise the concern in “the proper forum.”
So, what does ICC law say about fake fielding?
As per ICC’s Law 41.5.1, “it is unfair for any fielder wilfully to attempt, by word or action, to distract, deceive or obstruct either batsman after the striker has received the ball.”
The law goes on to state that “It is for either one of the umpires to decide whether any distraction, deception or obstruction is wilful or not” and “if either umpire considers that a fielder has caused or attempted to cause such a distraction, deception or obstruction, he/she shall immediately call and signal Dead ball and inform the other umpire of the reason for the call.” The law further states that if there is any such case “the bowler’s end umpire shall award 5 Penalty runs to the batting side.”
The law was brought in because fielders were deliberately pretending to hold the ball in order to deceive the batters and prevent them from scoring more runs.
