[Virat Kohli Century] It Was A Wide Ball: Wasim Akram Tears Into Richard Kettleborough

Former Pakistan captain and great fast bowler Wasim Akram raised eyebrows at the umpire Richard Kettleborough for his decision to not give a wide ball when Virat Kohli was nearing his century against Bangladesh.

India recorded their 4th consecutive win in as many matches in the World Cup 2023 by thrashing Bangladesh by 7 wickets. Virat Kohli aced another chase, scoring 103* runs in 97 balls to take India home with 8.3 overs to spare in the chase of 257 runs.

When India needed two runs to win and Kohli needed 3 runs for his century, left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed bowled a ball on the side outside the leg-stump, but umpire Richard Kettleborough didn’t give it a wide. Kohli then launched a six to win the match and complete his century.

Although Indian fans have been praising Kettleborough for not giving a wide – according to the new laws that the MCC changed in 2022, the umpire could be even correct (more about it below) – some ex-cricketers of other countries are unhappy and displeased with Richard Kettleborough’s call.

Wasim Akram reckoned it was a “genuine mistake” from the umpire, but admitted that it was certainly a wide ball.

“One of those genuine mistakes. It was a wide ball, sure,” Wasim Akram said on A Sports.

Was the decision of umpire Richard Kettleborough correct?

According to the new laws on wides about a batsman moving in the crease, umpire Richard Kettleborough was correct in his decision to not give it a wide.

What many fans, ex-cricketers, and journalists are not aware of is the law change by the MCC regarding wides in March 2022.

In March 2022, the MCC announced a new Code of Laws regarding wide calls when a batsman moves after the bowler starts his run-up.

“In the modern game, batters are, more than ever, moving laterally around the crease before the ball is bowled,” read a statement from the MCC. “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 to where the batter is standing, where the striker has stood at any point since the bowler began their run up, and which would also have passed wide of the striker in a normal batting position.”

If we see the video, it could be observed that Virat Kohli moved/shuffled on seeing the ball on the legside. Hence, Richard Kettleborough’s decision was correct. Basically, had Kohli not shuffled, the ball would have hit him on the leg or thigh.