The ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 has once again brought the ‘spirit of cricket’ debate to the forefront, following Bangladeshi captain Shakib Al Hasan’s appeal for a timed-out dismissal against Sri Lankan batsman Angelo Mathews. During Match 38 of the tournament at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, Shakib appealed for Mathews’ dismissal after he failed to get ready to face the ball within two minutes as per the playing conditions of the World Cup.
On-field umpires adjudged Mathews out, sparking a debate about whether the appeal was in line with the spirit of the game. Recently, Indian head coach Rahul Dravid weighed in on the debate, stating that players should not be blamed for following the rules to the letter.
“We can’t blame someone who wants to follow rules to the nth degree just because we may not follow them,” Rahul Dravid said ahead of India’s last league game against the Netherlands.
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Dravid also took the opportunity to praise Indian captain Rohit Sharma’s leadership during the tournament, highlighting his fearless approach and ability to provide explosive starts that have taken the pressure off the middle order.
“Rohit is certainly been a leader, without a doubt. I think he has led by example on and off the field. Some of the starts he has given us, the way he has cracked open games for us. A lot of times people are looked at… there have been some games that could have turned tricky for us, but the kind of starts he has helped us crack open games,” Rahul Dravid added.
Rohit’s impressive performance in the World Cup has been a key factor in India’s success. He has scored 442 runs from eight innings at an average of 55.25 and a strike rate of 122.77, including one hundred and two fifties. He also holds the record for the fastest hundred by an Indian batter in the ODI World Cup, which he achieved in just 63 balls against England.
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As India gears up for the knockout stages of the tournament, the team management will be hoping that Rohit continues his exceptional form and provides his side with explosive starts in the crucial matches ahead.
The ‘spirit of cricket’ debate is likely to continue, but one thing is for sure: players like Rohit Sharma, who lead by example and follow the rules to the letter, will always be respected and admired.
