The ICC has recently announced the list of umpires for the crucial Super 8 stage of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024. However, the Indian fans might be feeling a shiver down their spine with a rather peculiar reason. The high-profile clash between India and Australia on June 20 will see Richard Kettleborough and Richard Illingworth officiating the match.
While both umpires are well-respected figures, one can’t help but notice a worrying trend: Richard Kettleborough seems to be a constant presence whenever India falters in ICC knock-out matches.
A ‘Kettleborough’ jinx for India?
Kettleborough’s name has become synonymous with heartbreak for Indian cricket. He was the umpire in several key losses for India in recent years, including:
- The 2014 T20 World Cup Final (India lost to Sri Lanka)
- The 2015 ODI World Cup Semi-final (India lost to Australia)
- The 2016 T20 World Cup Semi-final (India lost to West Indies)
- The 2017 Champions Trophy Final (India lost to Pakistan)
- The 2019 ODI World Cup Semi-final (India lost to New Zealand)
- Most recently, the 2023 ODI World Cup Final (India lost to Australia)
This coincidence has fueled a narrative of a “Kettleborough jinx” for India. While the outcome of a match ultimately rests on the players’ performance, the presence of the Englishman can’t help but raise a few nervous eyebrows amongst Indian supporters. Adding to the intrigue is the fact that Richard Illingworth, who will be officiating alongside Kettleborough, was also one of the umpires in the 2023 World Cup final loss.
T20 World Cup Super 8 Match officials
June 19: USA v South Africa (Antigua)
Referee: Ranjan Madugalle
On-field Umpires: Chris Gaffaney and Richard Kettleborough
TV Umpire: Joel Wilson
Fourth Umpire: Langton Rusere
June 19: England v West Indies (St Lucia)
Referee: Jeff Crowe
On-field Umpires: Nitin Menon and Ahsan Raza
TV Umpire: Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid
Fourth Umpire: Chris Brown
June 20: Afghanistan v India (Barbados)
Referee: David Boon
On-field Umpires: Rodney Tucker and Paul Reiffel
TV Umpire: Allahudien Paleker
Fourth Umpire: Alex Wharf
June 20: Australia v Bangladesh (Antigua)
Referee: Richie Richardson
On-field Umpires: Richard Illingworth and Michael Gough
TV Umpire: Kumar Dharmasena
Fourth Umpire: Adrian Holstock
June 21: England v South Africa (St Lucia)
Referee: Jeff Crowe
On-field Umpires: Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid and Chris Brown
TV Umpire: Joel Wilson
Fourth Umpire: Chris Gaffaney
June 21: USA v West Indies (Barbados)
Referee: David Boon
On-field Umpires: Paul Reiffel and Allahuddien Paleker
TV Umpire: Rodney Tucker
Fourth Umpire: Alex Wharf
June 22: India v Bangladesh (Antigua)
Referee: Ranjan Madugalle
On-field Umpires: Michael Gough and Adrian Holdstock
TV Umpire: Langton Rusere
Fourth Umpire: Richard Kettleborough
June 22: Afghanistan v Australia (St Vincent)
Referee: Richie Richardson
On-field Umpires: Kumar Dharmasena and Ahsan Raza
TV Umpire: Richard Illingworth
Fourth Umpire: Nitin Menon
June 23: USA v England (Barbados)
Referee: David Boon
On-field Umpires: Chris Gaffaney and Joel Wilson
TV Umpire: Paul Reiffel
Fourth Umpire: Allahudien Paleker
June 23: West Indies v South Africa (Antigua)
Referee: Ranjan Madugalle
On-field Umpires: Rodney Tucker and Alex Wharf
TV Umpire: Chris Brown
Fourth Umpire: Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid
June 24: Australia v India (St Lucia)
Referee: Jeff Crowe
On-field Umpires: Richard Kettleborough and Richard Illingworth
TV Umpire: Michael Gough
Fourth Umpire: Kumar Dharmasena
June 24: Afghanistan v Bangladesh (St Vincent)
Referee: Richie Richardson
On-field Umpires: Langton Rusere and Nitin Menon
TV Umpire: Adrian Holdstock
Fourth Umpire: Ahsan Raza
