Elite umpire Richard Kettleborough will officiate in the upcoming IND vs SA Test series. It must be mentioned that Richard Kettleborough was also the on-field umpire during team India’s recent loss at the World Cup final against Australia. After the news of Kettleborough officiating reached on the social media, the netizens have started a meme fest on the online platforms.
The connection between team India and Kettleborough goes way back to 2014. Before team India’s loss in the 2023 World Cup, Kettleborough had also officiated in India’s losses in the 2014 World Cup final, 2015 WC semi-final, 2016 WC semi-final, 2017 Champions Trophy final, and 2019 World Cup semi-final. On the other hand, Richard Illingworth was the umpire of the India-New Zealand 2019 World Cup semi-final and the 2021 World Test Championship final.
Kettleborough will be accompanied by Paul Reiffel in the first IND vs SA Test match. On the other hand, Ahsan Raza will replace Reiffel to be the second on-field official alongside Kettleborough. The IND vs SA Test series will be played from December 26 to January 7, 2024. The T20Is and ODIs will be played between December 10 and 21, before the attention shifts to Test cricket. The first Test will commence on 26 December in Centurion’s SuperSport Park, and the second five-day game will start on 3 January, in Cape Town’s Newlands Cricket Ground.
India yet to win Test series in SA
Team India are yet to win a Test series in South Africa. The visitors came close under MS Dhoni’s leadership in 2010-11, but could not cross the finishing line as the third and deciding Test ended in a draw. The world number 1 Test side will be looking to make amends this time around, and create history this time.
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