(Image Source: AP)
[Saba Sports News] The ‘spirit of cricket’ debate resurfaced at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 when Shakib Al Hasan appealed for a timed-out dismissal against Angelo Mathews of Sri Lanka in Match 38 at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium. Mathews was ruled out for not being ready within the two-minute timeframe according to World Cup rules.
Indian head coach Rahul Dravid weighed in on the debate, defending adherence to the rules. “We can’t blame someone who wants to follow rules to the nth degree just because we may not follow them,” Dravid stated before India’s game against the Netherlands.
Dravid also lauded Indian captain Rohit Sharma for his impactful leadership and fearless batting, which has consistently relieved pressure on the middle order. Sharma has amassed 442 runs in the tournament at a strike rate of 122.77, including a record-breaking fastest hundred by an Indian in the ODI World Cup and surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s record for most World Cup hundreds.
The Indian team hopes for Sharma to maintain his form in the knockout stages, providing strong starts in crucial matches.