Stand-in skipper KL Rahul ends India’s 20-match ODI toss losing streak, winning the coin toss in the deciding third match against South Africa
INDIA finally broke a remarkable 20-match losing streak in ODI coin tosses on Saturday.
Stand-in captain KL Rahul won the toss against South Africa’s Temba Bavuma in the series-deciding third match.
The crowd roared as a smiling Rahul elected to bowl first at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium.
India’s players quickly congratulated Rahul, who is leading the side in place of the injured Shubman Gill.
Rahul credited presenter and former cricketer Murali Kartik for acting as a lucky charm.
“You should do more tosses for us,” a beaming Rahul said after the toss.
Former India batter Sanjay Bangar suggested Rahul’s ploy of flipping the coin with his left hand instead of his right did the trick.
Visiting captain Temba Bavuma had called heads, but the coin landed on tails.
The victory ended a run of 20 consecutive lost tosses in one-day internationals for India.
Their last ODI toss win was in the World Cup semi-final against New Zealand in Mumbai on November 15, 2023.
The series was level at 1-1 heading into the decisive third match. – AFP
