India has played exceptionally well in the Cricket World Cup 2023 to reach the finals of the tournament. On Sunday, October 19, the Men In Blue will play Australia at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Fans are hoping India maintains the winning streak and beat Australia to clinch the trophy.
However, there is another thing that is giving Indian fans sleepless nights. It is the announcement of match official Richard Kettleborough as on-field umpire for the highly-anticipated World Cup 2023 final between India and Australia.
Kettleborough, a recurring figure in such significant matches has proved unlucky for India over the past decade. T20 World Cup in 2014, the 2015 ODI World Cup semi-final, the 2016 T20 World Cup semi-final, the 2017 Champions Trophy final, and the 2019 ODI World Cup semi-final were the games in which Kettleborough was the on-field umpire, and India lost. The 2022 T20 World Cup semi-final vs England was the only match that he was not a part, but that too did not go in favour of India.
Kettleborough's record has forced Indian fans to raise concerns and frustrations on social media platforms. Memes have flooded the timelines highlighting the ‘bad luck’ associated with him.
"Waiting for that person in @icc who made Panauti Richard Kettleborough the umpire for Final, commented one user.
"Hey Bhagwan, why is this guy still here in India? He should have left with the English team by now, right?," wrote another user.