“Why Help Virat Kohli When He Had A Cramp?”: Ex-Australia Star Questions New Zealand

Cricket fraternity the world over could be cherishing Virat Kohli’s record-setting fiftieth ODI century however former Australian pacer Simon O’Donnell has flayed New Zealand’s gesture of serving to the batting nice when he was affected by cramps through the World Cup semifinal. Kohli, 35, was seen fighting cramps throughout his 113-ball 117, which powered India into the World Cup closing on the Wankhede Stadium right here on Wednesday. A few New Zealand gamers opted to help the star India batter whereas he was fighting cramps, and O’Donnell stated he had a “problem” with that gesture.

Kohli’s century and pacer Mohammed Shami’s seven-wicket haul helped India maul the Blackcaps by 70 runs.

“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, who performed 87 ODIs for Australia primarily as a tempo bowler, stated 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.”

On whether or not it made any distinction to the result of the match in the long run, O’Donnell indicated the Kiwi gamers should not have gone anyplace close to Kohli when he was cramping.

“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 many Kiwis went and picked it up. ‘Go and choose your personal bat up when you’ve acquired 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?’

India opener Shubman Gill had retired hurt due to cramps when on 79 and Kohli too was seen struggling during the later part of his 149-minute stay at the crease.

“I do not get it, I simply do not get it. Stuff serving to him out, he is made 50 One-Day tons of, why assist him make the fiftieth towards you in a World Cup semifinal? Give me a spell.”

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