Controversial no-ball decision ‘a part of the game’, says Rohit Sharma

India opener Rohit Sharma has said the controversy over the umpires’ no-ball decision in the quarterfinal against Bangladesh was simply ‘a part of the game’.

The decision sparked huge controversies while protests escalated in Bangladesh.

The on-field umpires, Aleem Dar and Ian Gould, came under fire from former cricketers and analysts.

Rohit, however, is not thinking about that right now.

“I don't know what is happening there in Bangladesh. It's a part of the game. You've got to accept some decisions,” he said at a press conference on Wednesday ahead of the semi-final between India and Australia.

“Sometimes you don't accept some decisions, so that's what it is,” he added.

Rubel Hossain fired in a full toss in the fourth delivery of the 40th over in the quarter-final match at Melbourne Cricket Ground last Thursday.

After Rohit’s pull shot went straight to Imrul Kayes at deep midwicket, the batsman, on 90, was let off when Rubel Hossain’s full toss was adjudged a no-ball for being high above the batsman’s waist.

Replays, however, showed the ball was below the waist-line and thus legal. Rohit went on to score 137 off 126 balls, his maiden World Cup century.

India, on 196 for 3 during the incident, posted 302 for 6 after they won the toss and chose to bat first.

International Cricket Council President AHM Mustafa Kamal had said he would step down as president, if needed, indicating it was a biased decision. He termed the umpiring ‘poor’.

The defending champions will take on co-hosts Australia in the second semi on Thursday at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

New Zealand have secured a spot in the final, beating South Africa in a dramatic semi-final in Auckland on Tuesday.