[Laws Of Cricket] Was Virat Kohli Given A Favour By Richard Kettleborough?

Umpire Richard Kettleborough has come under the firing line and criticism from non-Indian fans and media after his non-wide call en route to Virat Kohli’s century against Bangladesh in Pune.

India star Virat Kohli hit his third ODI World Cup century, and his first since 2015 World Cup, on Thursday in Pune against Bangladesh, scoring 103* runs in 97 balls to take India home over the target of 257 runs with 8.3 overs. The celebration around Kohli’s century and India’s win on social media were deflected a bit as some fans and journalists slammed umpire Richard Kettleborough.

When India needed two runs to win and Kohli was batting on 97*, spinner Nasum Ahmed bowled a ball outside the leg-stump, but umpire Richard Kettleborough didn’t give it a wide. Kohli then hit a six to win the match and complete his hundred.

Wide law was modified in 2022: Non-wide decision by Richard Kettleborough was correct in the Virat Kohli controversy

As fans debated about Richard Kettleborough’s decision, the laws of the cricket book have been looked upon and it is found the the MCC changed the laws in wide balls when a batsman moves/shuffles. According to the new laws, modified in 2022, Richard Kettleborough’s call of non-wide was correct.

In March 2022, the MCC announced a new Code of Laws regarding wide calls when a batsman shuffles from his initial standing position. If we look at the video, it can be observed that Virat Kohli shuffled a bit from his initial position. In simple terms, had Kohli not shuffled, the ball would have hit him on the leg or thigh. Thus, Richard Kettleborough was correct in his assessment of not giving it a wide.

“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.”