Kolkata Knight Riders had a thumping win in season 18 of the IPL. Their *opening batsman, Quinton de Kock (97)**, went unbeaten and contributed importantly to the win for the team. Rajasthan Royals first batted, scoring 151/9, but Kolkata chased down the target with ease, losing two wickets from 17.3 overs. Rajasthan bowler Jofra Archer is currently in the hot seat of severe criticism on social media, accused of playing dirty by many. What actually occurred?
Did Archer's Wides Deny de Kock His Century?
De Kock started slowly but picked up his scoring at a critical moment. He completed his half-century in 35 balls and was on 81 off 58 balls at the end of the 17th over. Kolkata needed only 17 runs to win at that stage, and de Kock needed 19 runs for his century.
Jofra Archer bowled the 18th over.
- De Kock struck a four off the first ball and a six off the second ball to reach 91 runs.
- Only seven runs were required for Kolkata to win when Archer bowled two successive wides, reducing the equation to a mere five runs needed.
- De Kock hit a six off the third legitimate delivery, winning the match for Kolkata but stopping at 97 runs, three runs short of a century.
Most cricket lovers feel that Archer would not have bowled those two wides had he wanted to give de Kock an extra delivery to reach his hundred.
Fans React to Archer's Bowling
The action left cricket lovers fuming on social media with most asking for Archer's sportsmanship.
- "Is this sporting? Bowing wides to prevent a batter from scoring his century is not good. I did not think I would witness something like this from a side like Rajasthan Royals."
- "Jofra Archer behaved despicably. It seemed deliberate. But de Kock deserves a hat tip for his masterful innings. True sportsmanship never gets diminished."
The furore has sparked renewed debate on fair play in cricket, with some demanding tougher action to prevent such behaviour in future games.
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