Virat Kohli and KL Rahul’s refusal to take singles towards the end of India’s chase against Bangladesh, in a bid for Kohli to get to his century, led to plenty of reactions on social media.
When Kohli crossed 26,000 runs in international cricket, and entered his eighties, India still had more than ten overs to go in their chase of 257. With seven wickets in hand, it gave Kohli an opportunity to nudge around for his 48th ODI century. In fact, the only thing of interest left in the match was whether Kohli would have enough runs left to reach three figures.
What followed was a sequence of declined singles and some quick running between wickets, all ensuring Kohli crept towards the milestone. He hit a four to move to 85, and two deliveries later, refused a single, then hitting the next ball for a six.
A short-pitched bouncer in the next over made the equation interesting, as Kohli tapped the ball around for a quick two the next ball. India needed five and Kohli needed six. He took a single off the last delivery to keep strike, and a debatable non-wide later, hit a six to seal the chase – and get his ton.
In fact, non-striker KL Rahul later clarified that it was he who denied the single to Kohli, to which Kohli said it would look back that he was playing for personal milestones. Rahul revealed that he told Kohli “we are winning easily, if you’re getting your milestone, why not?”
While several Indian fans celebrated Kohli’s milestone moment, not everyone was impressed.
If Kohli is turning down singles with 7 wickets in hand and 10 overs left purely so he can get a century, I'd bowl 5 wides down the leg side if I'm a Bangladesh bowler. No more nonsense from any cricketer big or small about "I play for the team."
— Peter Della Penna (@PeterDellaPenna) October 19, 2023
Fitting that the first close game at this World Cup is between Virat Kohli and scoring an international century
— Ben Gardner (@Ben_Wisden) October 19, 2023
Just came across the video of Umpire not giving wide to Virat Kohli!
It would be a clear wide on any day. Even Kohli's reaction said the same. Nothing against Virat's effort, but this is not right for an umpire to be influenced by a player's milestone.
Today, it was for a… pic.twitter.com/Y0RDeutINz
— Himanshu Pareek (@Sports_Himanshu) October 19, 2023
The fun moment of the day.
Richard Kettleborough had a cheeky smile when Nasum bowled in leg side while Kohli was on 97*. pic.twitter.com/y46kC5hNsU
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) October 19, 2023
I love Virat Kohli. I don’t mind seeing him scoring that hundred as we were badly losing anyway.
But Richard Kettleborough set an awful example here. It is nothing new that the bowlers try the ‘ugly’ way to restrict a batsman’s hundred. There is no rule that states that a… pic.twitter.com/5hPMK31N6I
— Saif Ahmed
(@saifahmed75) October 19, 2023
Others, though, defended what transpired in the last two overs.
Kohli scored 29 off his last 17 balls btw. If there's one match situation where the team could take the liberty to get him to a milestone, it was that. If anything, he only helped the NRR batting the way he did. Go away with all your "embarrassing" shouts IMO.
— Aaditya Narayan (@AadityaN_28) October 19, 2023
There’s nothing wrong in going for a milestone when the game is already in the bag. Kohli thoroughly deserved the century and KL Rahul played a perfect foil for him in realising it. My mind went back to Srinath bowling deliberate wides to help Kumble get his 10th wkt in 1999…
— Dodda Ganesh | ದೊಡ್ಡ ಗಣೇಶ್ (@doddaganesha) October 19, 2023
Kohli chasing
so brazenly is not how 'I' like to see the game played, but we should accept that what we personally don't like doesn't necessarily make it wrong. Ind confident about making it into the top 4 – Kohli wants his milestone – big deal, why the outrage?! #INDvsBAN https://t.co/mb91DlXCTV
— Rishad Dsouza (@Rishouza) October 19, 2023
Never ever I've seen Kohli playing for his personal milestone. This is the first time he's done this. But if there's someone who can be selfish once in 250 games, then one of them has to be Kohli.
Well played.
— Jaanvi
(@that_shutterbug) October 19, 2023
India play their next game on October 22, against New Zealand in Dharamsala. You can follow India’s schedule here.
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The post ‘Incredibly village’ or ‘deserved century’? Virat Kohli’s approach to hundred divides opinion appeared first on Wisden.
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