Virat Kohli moment with umpire sparks World Cup uproar: 'That's a disgrace'

It's fair to say Virat Kohli's 48th ODI century was controversial in more ways than one. Kohli was accused of being "selfish" after hogging the strike and declining to take singles as his unbeaten 103 helped India thump Bangladesh by seven wickets in Pune to make it four straight victories for the tournament hosts at the Cricket World Cup.

However, it wasn't just the manner of Kohli's batting in the crushing victory that rubbed fans up the wrong way, with one umpire coming under fire for what appeared to be a massive helping hand for the India superstar. Kohli found himself running out of time to reach his century after Bangladesh made 8-256 and India's top order combined to make short work of the modest total.

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The 34-year-old ended up smashing a six to bring up his ton, sparking wild celebrations around the stadium as Kohli moved within one century of Sachin Tendulkar's all-time record of 49 ODI hundreds. It came just in the nick of time too, with India only requiring two runs for victory at the time and Kohli still three short of triple figures.

The home side really should have been just one run away from victory though, after umpire Richard Kettleborough appeared to do the local hero a massive favour. The experienced official failed to call a wide on the first ball of Nasum Ahmed's over to Kohli, despite the delivery veering down the leg side and being taken by wicketkeeper, KL Rahul.

Umpire Richard Kettleborough fails to call wide

Kettleborough may have anticipated the backlash that would have eventuated if sundries denied Kohli a sensational century. The umpire even appeared to shoot a smirk back Kohli's way after falling to call the wide.

The incident left viewers seething over the idea that the official was doing everything in his power to help Kohli reach three figures. Many took to social media to label the incident "shameful" and a "disgrace".

Centurion Kohli savaged after hogging strike

Fans also slammed Kohli for farming the strike and turning down singles when batting with Rahul so he could get to his century. Kohli faced some eight dot balls in the final three overs of India's chase, dominating the strike and hitting 30 runs in the last 20 balls to race from 73 to end the game on 103.

Fans took to social media in droves to accuse Kohli of being selfish and prioritising his own milestone over the team performance after India ended the match second in the World Cup standings behind New Zealand on net run rate. Speaking after the match though, KL Rahul revealed that he was actually the one to encourage Kohli to try and get his ton.

"He (Virat) was confused actually, he said 'it would not look too nice to not take singles, it's still a World Cup, it's still a big stage and I don't want to look like I am trying to get the milestone'," KL Rahul told Star Sports. "I said 'it's not won, but I mean we will still win this very easily. If you can get to the milestone, you must try'. And he did that in the end."

India fight back after solid Bangladesh start

Kohli's match-winning display with the bat came after Bangladesh squandered an impressive start, having posted 93 runs without loss. Kuldeep Yadav drew first blood for India by trapping Tanzid (51) lbw after his superb opening stand with Litton Das (66). India soon claimed three more quick wickets to peg Bangladesh back.

Ravindra Jadeja dismissed Shanto for eight and had Das caught in the deep, with Rahul flying to his left to take a stunning one-handed catch to remove Mehidy Hasan Miraz. Jadeja also pulled off a spectacular catch at backward point to cut short Mushfiqur Rahim's promising knock of 38 before Mahmudullah smashed a breezy 46 to help Bangladesh pass the 250-mark.

The underdogs made 8-256 on a good batting pitch at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, but it never quite looked like being enough against the mighty India, who had to contend without Hardik Pandya - the all-rounder hobbling off after twisting his ankle in the first over.

India's chase saw Rohit (48) dominate the powerplay overs just like he did in the last two matches to get the home side off and running. Shubman Gill (53) was initially content admiring the effortless shot-making of his captain before he joined the party by hitting Nasum Ahmed for two sixes in the same over.

Hasan Mahmud bounced out Rohit and Gill could not build on his half-century, holing out to Mahmudullah on the boundary. Those wickets opened the door for Kohli to take the match by the scruff of the neck as India made it four wins from four ahead of their top-of-the-table clash with fellow undefeated heavyweights, New Zealand.

with AAP

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