Batting first, India had scored 6-184 and won by five runs via duckworth-lewis system, with Bangladesh scoring 6-145 with 16 overs short of rain. But India and Kohli may consider themselves lucky for the opening event in the seventh over of Bangladesh’s run-chase.
Opener Liton Das, who has been in sublime form this year, was batting on 56 off 24 balls when he cut axar Patel’s second delivery to the sweeper boundary. Commentator Harsha Bhogle said he did not know what the danger was as they were coming back for two when Kohli, who was standing inside the ring, turned and threw a fake throw at the non-striker’s end as the Tigers openers completed their second run with a delivery sent to the wicketkeeper.
The fake throw largely went unnoticed, but as the ICC introduced under Law 41.5, “deliberate distraction, deception or obstructing a batsman”, Kohli should have been fined five runs. It could have consumed the margin of defeat for Bangladesh.
Tigers star Nurul Hassan was one of those who pointed out that the incident went unnoticed. “You saw we had to play in a wet outfield, but there was also a case of fake fielding that didn’t go our way,” he told the press after the match. The incident was not the only controversial one between the rivals.
Earlier, Kohli made a successful attempt to give umpire Marais Erasmus a free hit to India as Hasan bowled a short ball which was later considered a no ball due to being over the head. Shakib Al Hasan appeared surprised by the call as he and Virat Kohli came together in a friendly manner, as the Bangladesh skipper put his arm around his opponent and laughed at the call.
Bhogle said, “No ball has been given. Marais Erasmus has indicated that the no-ball is for height. I think there has been some disagreement. Shakib and Virat Kohli roamed around for a long time, tried to laugh.