The India vs. Bangladesh ICC World Cup 2023 match which was played in Pune on October 19 will be remembered for the brilliant fielding and catching by Indians. It will also be memorable for the scintillating century by Virat Kohli, which helped India win by 7 wickets and 51 balls to spare.
Chasing a 257-run target, India got an excellent start thanks to Rohit Sharma’s 48 and Shubman Gill’s 53. Openers added 88 runs in 12.4 overs. Though India lost some wickets, Virat Kohli made sure the Men in Blue completed their fourth win in four matches.
He remained not out on 103 with 6 fours and 4 sixes. It was his 48th ODI century and 3rd in World Cups. He carefully planned his knock in the end as the number of runs for him to get to three figures and the runs needed by India to win were the same.
He was on strike for 19 straight deliveries and got to his hundred with a six.
CWC 2023: Umpire Richard Kettleborough wins hearts of Virat Kohli's fans for not signalling wide
But in the 42nd over of Indian innings, drama ensued as Nasum Ahmed's first ball was delivered down the leg-side, but no wide was signaled, and Kettleborough smirked as his arms remained in position.
When cameras panned towards the Indian dressing room immediately after that non-wide call, there was whole-hearted laughter from Gill and Kuldeep Yadav.
India opener Shubman Gill was asked about the same in the post-match press conference. Gill said he wasn't sure.
"Surprised with what? The decision or the attempt? I don't know if he intentionally tried to bowl wide or he was just trying to keep it tight and then went away," he said.
Meanwhile, Najmul Hossain Shanto, who was leading the side in place of an injured Shakib Al Hasan was asked twice by different journalists whether he or any other Bangladesh cricketer passed on instructions to Nasum to intentionally bowl a wide to Kohli when he was nearing his century.
Shanto said: "No, no. There was no such plan. It was a normal plan. No bowler had the intention to bowl a wide ball. We tried to play a proper game. No, no, no. It wasn't intentional. So, we wanted to play a proper game, so it was not intentional."
India will next face New Zealand on Sunday, October 22 in Dharamshala.
