Last Update on: November 16th, 2023 at 02:26 pm
Former Australian pacer Simon O’Donnell criticized the New Zealand players’ gesture of helping Virat Kohli during the World Cup 2023 semifinal. Simon O’Donnell questioned why New Zealand players would assist Virat Kohli when India were heading for a high score.
Virat Kohli experienced cramps while scoring his 50th ODI century at the Wankhede Stadium on November 15. He played a crucial innings of 117 runs off 113 balls, despite the discomfort. New Zealand players decided to assist when he was struggling with cramps.
Virat Kohli Is Tearing Your Country – Simon O’Donnell
Simon O’Donnell expressed that the New Zealand players’ gesture went against the spirit of the game. The former cricketer stated that helping a batter who is causing damage to your team isn’t in line with playing within the laws of cricket.
“I had a problem a couple of times last night. Virat Kohli gets cramp, they’re (India) heading for 400 (runs) and (New Zealand) blokes go over and help him,” O’Donnell said on Sen Radio.
“Why would you go and help Virat Kohli when he had a cramp? When they’re heading for 400. In a World Cup semifinal. Spirit of the game is playing within the laws. Virat Kohli is tearing your country apart and you want to go over and give him a hand.”
Go And Pick Up Your Own Bat Up – Simon O’Donnell
Simon O’Donnell criticized the Kiwi players for picking up Virat Kohli’s bat, suggesting that they shouldn’t assist him while he’s physically challenged and still hitting boundaries.
“Don’t care. Under no circumstances should you have gone within 20 metres of Virat Kohli when he had a cramp.”
“He (Virat) threw his bat away and one of the Kiwis went and picked it up. ‘Go and pick your own bat up while you’ve got a sore hamstring and a cramp. Stop hitting us for sixes and fours’.”
“That’s not a big deal. That’s not outside the spirit of the game. It’s being competitive and saying, ‘Ok, he’s being physically challenged, why are we assisting him to stay physically ok to belt the crap out of us?'”
The Rohit Sharma-led team will play against the winner of the semi-final between Australia and South Africa at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, November 19.
Also read: “God Is The Best Script Writer..”- Anushka Sharma Reacts To Virat Kohli’s Record Breaking Ton
