AHMEDABAD – The announcement by the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding the appointment of Richard Illingworth and Richard Kettleborough as on-field umpires for the highly anticipated India vs Australia World Cup 2023 final has triggered concerns and sleepless nights among Indian cricket fans. The choice of these umpires, known for their frequent involvement in India’s knockout matches, has cast a shadow of unease over the upcoming clash at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
Richard Kettleborough, who previously officiated in the 2015 World Cup final, is not unfamiliar with India’s critical matches. Having been part of the umpires’ panel in seven of India’s eight ICC event knockout matches since their Champions Trophy win in 2013, Kettleborough’s presence in crucial encounters has become a recurrent theme.
In a similar vein, Richard Illingworth has played a role in three of India’s last eight ICC knockout matches, further adding to the sense of apprehension among Indian fans.
The frequent selection of Illingworth and Kettleborough can be attributed to ICC’s playing conditions, mandating neutral umpires in ICC events. Given that India and England have had limited encounters in ICC knockout matches, the English duo has consistently officiated India’s matches.
Despite their extensive experience and previous accolades, the selection of these umpires has ignited discussions about the fairness of umpire appointments and their potential impact on the outcome of high-stakes matches.
As cricket enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the World Cup final on Sunday, the spotlight on the umpire selection has added an extra layer of intrigue and concern, underscoring the significance of the officiating team in shaping the destiny of the championship clash.
