Virat Kohli is tearing your country and you're helping him with his cramps: Ex-Aussie star ridicules New Zealand

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Virat Kohli floored the cricket fraternity by breaking Sachin Tendulkar's record for most ODI hundreds at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium in the first first semi-final of the World Cup 2023 against New Zealand on Wednesday. His 50th ODI hundred earned him praises from all over the world.

The 35-year-old batting maestro looked in complete control of the match. The innings had the Virat Kohli hallmark all over it. He started off slowly, analysing and monitoring the conditions before increasing the tempo in the second half. There is not much the dangerous bowling unit of New Zealand could have done.

However, former Australia pacer Simon O'Donnell has ridiculed New Zealand's gesture of helping the batting great when he was suffering from cramps in the extremely hot and humid condition in Mumbai.

The superstar batter was seen struggling with cramps during his 113-ball 117, which powered India into the World Cup 2023 final which will be held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, November 19.

A few New Zealand players including Mitchell Santner showed concern when Virat Kohli was struggling with cramps, and O'Donnell said he had a "problem" with that gesture.

Kohli's century and pacer Mohammed Shami's seven-wicket haul helped India avenge their 2019 semi-final defeat with a 70-run win over the Kane Williamson-led side.

"I had a problem a couple of times last night. Virat Kohli gets cramp, they're (India) heading for 400 (runs) and (New Zealand) blokes go over and help him," O'Donnell, who played 87 ODIs for Australia primarily as a pace bowler, said on Sen Radio.

"Why would you go and help Virat Kohli when he had a cramp? When they're heading for 400. In a World Cup semifinal. Spirit of the game is playing within the laws. Virat Kohli is tearing your country apart and you want to go over and give him a hand."

On whether it made any difference to the outcome of the match in the end, O'Donnell indicated the Kiwi players shouldn't have gone anywhere near Kohli when he was cramping.

"Don't care. Under no circumstances should you have gone within 20 metres of Virat Kohli when he had a cramp.

"He (Virat) threw his bat away and one of the Kiwis went and picked it up. 'Go and pick your own bat up while you've got a sore hamstring and a cramp. Stop hitting us for sixes and fours'.

"That's not a big deal. That's not outside the spirit of the game. It's being competitive and saying, 'Ok, he's being physically challenged, why are we assisting him to stay physically ok to belt the crap out of us?'

India opener Shubman Gill had to retire hurt due to cramps after scoring 79 runs and Kohli too was seen struggling during the later part of his 149-minute in the midde.

"I don't get it, I just don't get it. Stuff helping him out, he's made 50 One-Day hundreds, why help him make the 50th against you in a World Cup semifinal? Give me a spell."