Toss controversy in KKR vs KXIP match that everybody missed

Gambhir won the toss but Vijay decided who would bat first

Toss during the KKR vs KXIP match at the Eden Gardens. (BCCI)

 

 

New Delhi: Indian Premier League (IPL) and controversies are inseparable since the inception of the league. Even the 2016 edition has seen its fair share of controversies. But there is one that went unnoticed from everyone.

The incident happened during the Kolkata Knight Riders versus Kings XI Punjab match on 4 May at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Although it is a few days old now, the controversy has recently cropped up in the social media.

Apparently, the controversy is related to the toss. As per the TV audiences, the toss was won by the KKR skipper Gautam Gambhir but Ravi Shastri judged it wrongly and asked the KXIP skipper Murali Vijay what he would like to do. 

Here is what perspired at the toss.

Shastri, as is the tradition, introduced the two captains, KKR’s Gautam Gambhir and KXIP’s Murali Vijay along with the match referee. Being the home captain, Gambhir tossed the coin and visiting captain Vijay called it a ‘heads’. The coin rolled over and Shastri quickly exclaimed ‘Tails it is!’. 

Vijay, who seemed confusion, stepped ahead hesitantly and shook hands with Shastri. Shastri asked him what he would like to do and the KXIP skipper chose to bowl first. While it all seemed like a usual affair, it is believed that Gautam Gambhir had essentially won the toss.

However, the toss didn’t cost much to the home side. The Knight Riders, after put into bat, posted a total of 164/3 on the board. The Kings XI Punjab came very close to the target but eventually fell short by 7 runs and were restricted to 157/9 in their 20 overs.