Virat Kohli praised for walking during India v Pakistan clash despite being not out.
Virat Kohli has been praised for walking during India's clash with Pakistan at the Cricket World Cup despite doing so incorrectly.
In a match billed as cricket's biggest rivalry and watched by over a billion people, the India captain played a false pull shot on 77 against the bowling of Mohammad Amir.
Kohli brought up his 11,000th ODI run in record time during his stay at the crease - coming in his 222nd innings, 54 outings faster than previous record holder Sachin Tendulkar.
Standing umpire Marais Erasmus did not give Kohli out despite appeals for a catch from Amir and Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Ahmed. But he did not need to as Kohli had already taken it upon himself to leave the ground.
Kohli was later seen with his head in his hands as replays showed him appearing to miss the ball. Speculation abounded that he may have effectively given himself out based on a noise from a 'clicking' bat handle.
Despite his error, Wide World Of Sports' Mark Taylor praised Kohli for his sportsmanship in the context of ongoing tensions between the two nations.
"Virat Kohli is once again trying to do the right thing," Taylor said.
"I don't think he wants any controversy in this match. He knows and understands how big a game this is worldwide.
"He probably thinks, 'well I have hit that, I heard a noise. I don't want the umpire to give me not out and them to review it, or if he gives me out to review it myself. I think I've hit it, I'm just going to go, take all the sting out of it and get off the ground .'"
This was not the first time Kohli's leadership has been on show during the tournament after his highly-publicised rebuke of Indian fans booing Steve Smith.
"Hats off to Virat Kohli who has done that and the gesture with Steve Smith, he is doing some great things for cricket," Taylor said.
Fellow commentator Ian Healy said Kohli's actions were reflective of his maturity in the role of Indian captain.
"He has developed as a man," Healy said.
"He is leading and inspiring a new India. That's a huge weight but he is doing it so comfortably and with such authority.
"He has really stood up in the last few years and is playing our game with huge respect."
But he did indicate that Kohli's generosity with giving up his wicket may not extend to the business end of the tournament.
"Anyone who gets him in a semi final would like that handle to click and he walks off!"
https://wwos.nine.com.au/cricket/vi...orld-cup/50382c3e-c3bf-43ef-8e9a-636dd9f9ba4c
Think Kohli has mellowed in his old age?
, but seriously clearly in the moment he thought he nicked it and had thought a review would have confirmed as much. kudos to him for not wasting time but its not like anyone is really getting away with nicking it in this day and age.
