The cricketing fraternity around the world might be eyeing Virat Kohli’s record of 50th ODI century, but former Australian pacer Simon O’Donnell has flayed New Zealand’s mark aiding the batting impressively. when he was suffering from cramps during the World Cup semi-final. Kohli, 35, was seen struggling with cramps during his 113-ball 117, which took India into the World Cup final at the Wankhede Stadium here on Wednesday. A number of New Zealand players chose to help the India star as he struggled with cramps, and O’Donnell said he had a “problem” with the gesture.
Kohli’s spell with pacer Mohammed Shami helped India’s seven-wicket haul of 70 runs from the Black Caps.
“I had a problem a couple of times last night. Virat Kohli gets a cramp, they (India) are going for 400 (runs) and (New Zealand) blockers go to help him,” O’Donnell, who has played 87 ODIs for Australia mainly as a speed bowler, said Sen Radio.
“Why would you go to help Virat Kohli when he had a cramp? When they were going for 400. In the World Cup semi-final. The spirit of the game is playing within the laws. Virat Kohli is tearing your country apart and you want to go and give him a hand.”
As for whether it made any difference to the outcome of the match in the end, O’Donnell pointed out that the Kiwi players should not have gone anywhere near Kohli when he was pushing.
“Don’t be careful. You shouldn’t have gone within 20 meters 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 even though 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 of the spirit of the game. He’s competitive and saying, ‘OK, he’s being challenged physically, why are we helping him stay physically OK for the crap belt us out?’
India opener Shubman Gill retired injured due to cramps when he was on 79 and Kohli was also seen struggling during the latter part of his 149-minute stay at the crease.
“I don’t get it, I don’t get it. Helping him, he’s made 50 hundred days, why help him get to his 50th against you in a World Cup semi-final? Give me a turn.”
(Other than the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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