Team India qualified for the final of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 with a comprehensive 70-run victory over New Zealand in the first semi-final at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Wednesday (November 15).
After the game, former Pakistan cricketer Sikander Bakht came up with a conspiracy theory regarding Rohit Sharma's coin-tossing technique in this World Cup.
Speaking on Geo News, Bakht said the Indian skipper throws the coin at a distance that could prevent the opposing captain from verifying the result of the toss. He also suggested that it could be a deliberate trick to gain an unfair advantage.
“Can I give you a conspiracy theory? At the time of the toss, Rohit Sharma throws the coin far from the range of any opposition captain. Thus, the opposition captain cannot go and cross-check about the call,” Bakht stated.
This conspiracy theory, however, wasn’t entertained by former Pakistan captains Wasim Akram, Moin Khan and Shoaib Malik.
“Who decides where the coin should land? It is just for sponsorship! I feel embarrassed,” Akram said in response to a fan question about the toss on The Pavilion show on A Sports.
“I can't even... I don't even want to comment on it,” he added.
Moin rubbished Bakht’s accusation, saying that every captain has a different way of tossing the coin.
“He is mistaken, just creating a fuss. Every captain has a different way of tossing the coin.”
On the other hand, Malik said: “This shouldn't even be discussed.”
Coming to the first semi-final, India outplayed New Zealand in all facets of the game.
Opting to bat first, the hosts racked up a mammoth 397/4 on the board, courtesy of centuries from Virat Kohli (117 off 113) and Shreyas Iyer (105 off 70). Shubman Gill (80* off 66) and Rohit Sharma (47 off 29) set the tone with a 71-run opening stand.
In reply, Daryl Mitchell slammed a brilliant century but it went in vain as the Kiwi innings folded for 327 in 48.5 overs. Mohammad Shami starred with the ball for India, returning with a seven-wicket haul (7/57) in his 9.5 overs.
