As the cricketing world eagerly awaits the Cricket World Cup 2023 final showdown between India and Australia, the announcement of match officials has stirred a sense of unease among Indian fans. The focus of concern is on Richard Kettleborough, the on-field umpire, who has been a part of India’s heartbreaks in crucial matches over the past decade.
Hey Bhagwan, why is this guy still here in India? He should have left with the English team by now, right? _#RichardKettleborough#INDvsAUS#WorldcupFinal#NarendraModiStadiumpic.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 #INDvsAUS#WorldCupFinalpic.twitter.com/pz0k2TcMLD
Abhishek Pathak (@gamehhhover) November 17, 2023
Umpires for the World Cup final:
On field umpires: Richard Kettleborough __!#CWC2023Final#Richardkettleborough#INDvsAUS#AUSvsSA#SAvsAUS#WorldCup2023#ICCWorldCup2023#ViratKohli_#umpires#CWC2023INDIA#INDvsNZ#SouthAfrica#Chokerspic.twitter.com/XMnuPgiTSG
Ajay Kaswan (@AjayKaswan32) November 17, 2023
Indians : we will win world cup meanwhile : Richard Kettleborough pic.twitter.com/tPgh9LKkDn
Dr.j (@Doctorsaab117) November 17, 2023
_Umpires for the #CWC23 final:
On field umpires: Richard Kettleborough, Richard Illingworth.
Third umpire: Joel Wilson.
Match Referee: Andy Pycroft.
Richard Kettleborough _ bad luck for us_
Let’s see what happens.#CWC23Final#INDvsAUS#cwcfinal#AUSvsINDpic.twitter.com/TiZq1J67kI
__Bhanu (@singh_bhan33431) November 17, 2023
News: Richard Kettleborough will be one of the on field umpires for the World Cup Final!M:- Darr to nahi keh sakte lekin fatt zaroor rhi hai !!_ pic.twitter.com/YTrsjdUU9u
Cyclone (@tony_stark_J) November 17, 2023
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
ICT fans to ICC and Richard Kettleborough: __#INDvsAUS | #WorldcupFinalpic.twitter.com/duYPhMHIkg
Lucifer 45 (@1m_lucifer45) November 17, 2023
Richard Kettleborough?__#INDvsAUS#CWC23#CWC23INDIA#CWC23Final#Bharathttps://t.co/dD4VQg9mJnpic.twitter.com/cMk98dO4zd
sanket Jawade (@sanketjawade143) November 17, 2023
Umpires for #WorldcupFinal
On field umpires: Richard Kettleborough, Richard Illingworth.
Third umpire: Joel Wilson.
Match Referee: Andy Pycroft.#INDvsAUS#IndiaVsAustralia#ICCCricketWorldCuppic.twitter.com/qKCBBA53ho
Vignesh (@Vignesh58Viki) November 17, 2023
Indian cricket enthusiasts vividly recall the disappointments in major tournaments where India faced defeats in the finals or crucial knockout stages. The common factor in all these heartbreaks was the presence of Richard Kettleborough as the umpire. The consecutive losses in the 2014 World Cup final, 2015 World Cup semi-final, 2016 World Cup semi-final, 2017 Champions Trophy final, and 2019 World Cup semi-final have left a lasting impact on fans’ psyche.
A Superstitious Hope
With Kettleborough set to officiate in yet another crucial match for India, fans express concerns about the possibility of a “panoti,” a term colloquially used to describe a jinx or bad luck. The hope is that the umpire’s presence does not bring about another heartbreak in this World Cup final.
Official Announcement Raises Eyebrows
The ICC’s recent announcement of match officials for the final has triggered a mixed reaction among fans. Richard Kettleborough, along with Richard Illingworth, is designated as the on-field umpire for the high-stakes encounter. This revelation has prompted discussions among cricket enthusiasts, who question whether such a significant match should have officials with connections to past heartbreaks.