Dubai: Former Indian opener Wasim Jaffer, tweeted to social media to bring out that Richard Kettleborough and Marais Erasmus will be the umpires in tonight’s match between India and New Zealand. This has created a gloomy atmosphere among Indian fans, as umpire Kettleborough has been extremely unlucky for Team India, particularly in ICC Trophy knockout matches.
Kettlebrough had officiated in almost all of India’s ICC knockout matches and had been involved in some of the country’s most devastating defeats in recent ICC events.
He was the umpire when India lost the T20 World Cup final in 2014 to Sri Lanka, the 2015 ODI World Cup semifinal loss to Australia, the 2016 T20 World Cup semifinal loss to West Indies. Not only that, then under Kettlebrough’s umpiring, India had to lose to Pakistan in the 2017 Champions Trophy final, and he had been the on-field umpire when India lost to New Zealand in the 2019 World Cup semi-final match.
Due to such past incidents, Jaffer shared a meme implying that Indian supporters will be in for another night of sadness on social media. Tweeting a picture of two kids crying, Jaffer wrote: “Happy Halloween Indian Fans #INDvNZ #T20WorldCup.”
Happy Halloween Indian fans 🎃 #INDvNZ #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/22v9EV0Mdc
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) October 31, 2021
Following this tweet, a number of Indian supporters turned to social media to express their displeasure with umpire Kettleborough.
India don't just have to end the Kiwi jinx but also Richard Kettleborough jinx 🤦♂️#INDvsNZ
— Sahil Bakshi (@SBakshi13) October 31, 2021
richard kettleborough 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/CLy35xtvHw
— Madan Reddy (@Madan1242) October 31, 2021
The clash between India and New Zealand today wil spell disaster for one of the teams. Both teams were defeated by Pakistan in their opening match, and unless the other teams in the group provide a shock, tonight’s encounter will determine who advances from the group stage.
Men in blue will be trying to fine-tune their team lineup for the encounter, something that was scrutinised during their previous match against their arch-rivals. The loss against Pakistan showed New Zealand’s lack of power-hitters in the death overs.
The two sides will clash as part of a Group 1 encounter in the ongoing T20 World Cup’s Super 12 stage at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
