Indian cricket fans tensed after Richard Kettleborough named umpire for CWC 2023 Final, here is why

With the blockbuster ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 final clash just a couple of days away, the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Friday named Richard Illingworth and Richard Kettleborough as the on-field umpires for the high-voltage title clash between India and Australia at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium.

The announcement of match officials has caused concern among Indian fans as the on-field umpire Richard Kettleborough has witnessed India's heartbreaks in pivotal matches during the previous ten years.

Interestingly, Richard Kettleborough was one of the umpires in all the previous ICC events in which India lost in the knock-out round including the Final of the T20 World Cup in 2014 in which India lost to Sri Lanka, the Semi-final of the 2015 ODI World Cup in which India lost to Australia, Semi-final of 2016 T20 World Cup in which India lost to West Indies, Final of Champions Trophy in 2017 in which India lost to Pakistan and in the semi-final of 2019 ODI World Cup in which India lost to New Zealand.

Fans had some very interesting comments to share on X after the announcement.

“Richard Kettleborough will be one of the umpires on 19th November 💔What tf you're doing Jay Shah ji, apke rehte ye kaise din dekhne par rhe hai,” said a user Kriti Singh. (sic)

Richard Kettleborough will be one of the umpires on 19th November 💔

What tf you're doing Jay Shah ji, apke rehte ye kaise din dekhne par rhe h 😭 pic.twitter.com/Jd6Obs00c5

— Kriti Singh (@kritiitweets) November 17, 2023

Another user, Sann wrote, “Hey Bhagwan, why is this guy still here in India? He should have left with the English team by now, right? (sic)

Hey Bhagwan, why is this guy still here in India? He should have left with the English team by now, right? 😉#RichardKettleborough #INDvsAUS #WorldcupFinal #NarendraModiStadium pic.twitter.com/vMh9pYcmcg

— Sann (@san_x_m) November 17, 2023

“Waiting for that person in @icc who made Panauti Richard Kettleborough the umpire for Final,” wrote Abhishek Pathak. (sic)

Waiting for that person in @icc who made Panauti Richard Kettleborough the umpire for Final #INDvsAUS #WorldCupFinal pic.twitter.com/pz0k2TcMLD

— Abhishek Pathak (@gamehhhover) November 17, 2023

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