Rigid ICC rules lead to a farcical finish

› The pitch was harder than Durban and the spinners used it... We knew the wickets would be hard and dry (but) knew our wrist spinners can get it to turn anywhere.

› VIRAT KOHLI, On Chahal, Kuldeep It’s very difficult (to play Chahal and Kuldeep), unless we can call them into our nets. We’ve got a few net bowlers who are a bit slow. D BENKENSTEIN, SA batting coach

CENTURION: Match officials sticking to the letter, rather than spirit, of International Cricket Council (ICC) rules led to a farcical end in the second ODI after India batsmen, needing two runs to win, were asked by the umpires to go in for lunch.

India skipper Virat Kohli was bemused after umpires Aleem Dar and Adrian Holdstock called the interval.

South Africa, down and out, too wanted to finish it. India began their chase after just a 10-minute break as South Africa’s innings had ended with more than 30 minutes left for the scheduled innings break.

DRAGGING ON

If a win is near, officials can delay lunch by 15 minutes, but Dar and Holdstock insisted the players go in as that time had elapsed. But it led to heavy social media criticism.

Virender Sehwag poked fun, tweeting “Umpires treating Indian batsmen like PSU Bank treat customers. Lunch ke baad aana.”

Michael Holding, doing TV commentary, slammed the umpires and ICC match referee Andy Pycroft for the rigid stance.

“They (ICC) want to make the game attractive but this was a ridiculous decision,” the Caribbean pace great said.

In the end, India took three deliveries after the break to seal victory.