After the pitch-fixing controversy, a number of social media users have claimed that the crucial toss of the semi-final between India and New Zealand was also 'fixed' to favour the host country.
Virat Kohli’s enterprising and memorable 113-ball 117, Shreyas Iyer’s quick-fire 70-ball 105 and Mohammad Shami's bowling brilliance powered India to the final against New Zealand in the first semi-final of the World Cup at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Wednesday.
The cricket fans believe that batting first on Mumbai pitch put India on the top.
By the look of it, the pitch of the semi-final between New Zealand and India seemed to favour the side which batted first. And, India won the toss and chose to bat first.
The Indian side set a mammoth target of 398 complemented for the Kiwis.
Allegations of a fixed toss to favour India circulated among social media users with some providing seemingly incriminating evidence to support their claims.
A video going viral on social media platforms predicted that Indian captain Rohit Sharma would throw the coin far away from pitch branding in front of him. This is where the coin is supposed to land.
He continued and explained that the match referee would then walk to the coin and declare that India had won the crucial toss.
Let's watch the video:
Rigged World cup🤡
— Hassan (@HassanAbbasian) November 15, 2023
Well paid @BCCI#INDvsNZpic.twitter.com/ZKYIb8109k
The video quickly gained traction on social media platforms and many cricket fans resonated with what had been said in the clip.
Read here: India under fire for manipulating world cup pitches
Surprisingly, it just didn't happen in the semi-final. It was happening in all matches as pointed out by Pakistan ex-cricketer Sikander Bakht during a cricket show.
Former Pakistan bowler Sikandar Bakht indicates India captain Rohit Sharma throws the coin far away at the toss so the opposition captain doesn't see it and he gets the decision in his favour 🤦🏽♂️🤦🏽♂️
— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) November 15, 2023
A new controversy 👀 #CWC23 #INDvsNZpic.twitter.com/zdzd3Zwrc7