On Monday, defending a low total of 132, the Indian fielders deliberately tried to confuse the Kiwi batsmen by shouting ‘TWO’. Heading into Day 3 with a lead of just 97, Team India needed a huge score on the board with Rishabh Pant, Hanuma Vihari, and Ravindra Jadeja were expected to do a much-needed job.
However, Virat Kohli and his men could only manage to add 34 more runs to their overnight tally of 90, as Trent Boult and Tim Southee were too hot to handle for them as India set a target of 132 runs. But with overcast conditions, the visitors had some hope as their pace trio was expected to make some early dents.
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To their dismay, though, both Umesh Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah were easily handled by the Kiwi openers, Tom Latham and Tom Blundell and with the clock ticking, the Indian team resorted to a rather funny desperate measure. On the second ball of the fourth over, with the score 7/0, Latham glanced a good length delivery of Umesh down to fine Bumrah at fine leg. There was no second run on offer and clearly, but that is when an Indian fielder – which we do not know who – came up with a genius idea.
Just as Blundell and Latham were about to complete the first run, one of the Indian fielders from the deep could be heard shouting “TWO”. It was a clear attempt from the fielder to confuse the batsmen and Latham, clearly irked by this, raised a complaint to the on-field umpire Richard Kettleborough.
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The umpire Kettleborough then warned Indian skipper Virat Kohli to say that the fake call was not acceptable and was against the sportsman spirit.
Here is the video of the incident:
https://twitter.com/faceplatter49/status/1234278090752217088
Netizens thought it was Kohli who distracted the batsmen:
Guess who's not chattering and babbling from the slips today? #NZvIND
— Momin (@momin_cric) March 2, 2020
What happened to be an incredible start to the tour is now turning into a nightmarish conclusion for the visitors.#NZvIND
— Momin (@momin_cric) March 2, 2020
Not much screaming from the petulant baby in the slips today I see. #NZvIND
— Campbell Weal (@thebigdontargue) March 2, 2020
This is such a pleasing sight watching the kiwis thrash these overrated junk Indian bowlers to all parts!!! #NZvIND
— El Magnifico (@VishnChipz) March 2, 2020
