Cricket World Cup 2023: “Why would you go and help,” Simon O’Donnell bashes New Zealand for upholding ‘spirit of cricket’ to help Virat Kohli

Simon O'Donnell wondered why the New Zealand team was so eager to help the in-form Virat Kohli when he got cramps.

Cricket World Cup 2023: “Why would you go and help,” Simon O’Donnell bashes New Zealand for upholding ‘spirit of cricket’ to help Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli struggled with cramps during his record breaking century (Image via ESPN)

Former Australian all-rounder, Simon O’Donnell, was unhappy when the New Zealand team were ready to go and help out Virat Kohli when he started suffering from cramps. The former player tore into the Kiwis for helping out Kohli when he looked in good touch. 

In the SEN Breakfast podcast, the 60-year-old asked why were the Black Caps so eager to be the ”nice guys” of cricket and said the spirit of the game means playing within the laws. He said the Kiwis should’ve taken advantage of Kohli being injured and shouldn’t have helped him. 

YouTube video
I had a problem a couple of times last night. Virat Kohli gets cramps, they’re heading for 400 and blokes go over and help him. Why would you go and help Virat Kohli when he had a cramp? When they’re heading for 400. In a World Cup Semi-Final. Spirit of the game is playing within the laws.
Simon O’Donnell in SEN Breakfast

He further said the Kiwis should be more competitive and stop helping out players when they’re physically unable to. O’Donnell further said by helping out Kohli, the Black Caps are letting him score a milestone against their own team. 

Kohli battled with cramps a few overs before he reached his 50th ODI century. Indian opener Shubman Gill, who had dengue during the start of the World Cup, also retired hurt due to cramps, but returned to bat. 

Why are so many players getting cramps? 

In the 2023 ICC ODI World Cup, many batters who have gotten cramps while batting. When Glenn Maxwell scored his double ton against Afghanistan, he was unable to even run due to cramps, but still batted on with the pain. Mohammad Rizwan during the start of the tournament was also dealing with the cramps, but he later revealed that he was acting sometimes. Heinrich Klassen, Virat Kohli, Daryl Mitchell and Shreyas Iyer scored tons while batting with cramps as well. 

Mohammad Rizwan
Mohammad Rizwan was one of the many victims of cramps in the 2023 ICC ODI World Cup (Image via ESPN)

But what is the reason for these cramps? It is due to the hot and humid conditions of India, where these high-performing athletes are exerting themselves to perform. It is also due to dehydration and low electrolyte levels. Shubman Gill claimed the reason he got cramps was due to his dengue fever at the start of the tournament.

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