Richard Kettleborough: All about the English umpire who gave controversial out to Shubman Gill in WTC Final 2023

Produced by: Bhoomika
Designed by: Mohsin Shaikh

Even though Team India’s overall performance against Australia in World Test Championship final was abysmal, Shubman Gill’s dismissal in second innings emerged to be a contentious point for Indian cricket fans

India vs Australia
WTC Final match

Shubman Gill was caught by Cameron Green off Scott Boland's bowling but replays showed that the ball touched the ground when the fielder caught it. The on-field umpires were not sure about if it was legitimate but the third umpire Richard Kettleborough decided to give Gill out resulting in a controversy

WTC 2023: Shubman
Gill’s dismissal

Shubman Gill was caught by Cameron Green off Scott Boland's bowling but replays showed that the ball touched the ground when the fielder caught it. The on-field umpires were not sure about if it was legitimate but the third umpire Richard Kettleborough decided to give Gill out resulting in a controversy

WTC 2023: Shubman
Gill’s dismissal

Several cricket legends came out in support of Shubman Gill. Virendra Sehwag tweeted, “Third umpire while making that decision of Shubman Gill.. Inconclusive evidence. When in doubt, it’s Not Out”

Shubman Gill's
dismissal video

This isn’t the first time that Richard Kettleborough’s decision has come under the scanner. Take a look at his career highlights and controversies

Who is umpire Richard
Kettleborough

Richard Allan Kettleborough has been a left-hand batter and a right-hand medium-paced bowler. He started his career by playing for Yorkshire local games before he moved to Middlesex. Though, after a few matches, he returned to Yorkshire due to performance issues

Richard Kettleborough's
career

- In 2006, Kettleborough was appointed to the ECB list of first-class umpires
- He officiated with Ian Gould in an international Twenty20 between England and Australia in August 2009
- The same year, he was elevated to the full International Panel of ICC Umpires

Umpire Kettleborough;
Career highlights

- In 2011, Kettleborough became part of Elite Panel of ICC Umpires
- He has thrice won David Shepherd Trophy for ICC Umpire of the year in 2013, 2014 and 2015

Kettleborough’s career highlights

In 2020, Richard Kettleborough came under the ICC anti-corruption unit scanner after he was spotted wearing a smartwatch on Day 2 of the second Test match between England and Pakistan in Southampton. As per the rule, no one can wear gadgets which can be used for calling or can be linked to the internet to avoid any chance of match-fixing

Richard Kettleborough’s
smartwatch row

The Indian team has been fined 100% of their match fee for being five overs short of the World Test Championship (WTC) final target. Australia was only four overs short and was fined 80% of their match fees

Match fine for India,
Australia

Shubman Gill was docked 115% of match fees for criticising Kettleborough's decision to rule him out in a debatable call during the World Test Championship final

Gill penalised for
questioning umpire