"I don't think that is correct at all" - Aakash Chopra on whether the toss in MI-RCB IPL 2024 clash was fixed
Aakash Chopra believes the toss in the IPL 2024 clash between the Mumbai Indians (MI) and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in Mumbai on April 11 was not fixed.
MI captain Hardik Pandya flipped the coin behind the two skippers. Match referee Javagal Srinath took a little while before declaring the result of the toss in the home team's favor. MI eventually won the game by seven wickets.
RCB skipper Faf du Plessis seemed to be discussing the incident with Pat Cummins ahead of the toss of RCB's next game against the SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH).
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra replied in the negative when asked whether the toss in MI's clash against RCB was fixed.
"There are talks like that. I have seen that video. No - I don't think that is correct at all. Javagal Srinath was the match referee there - I am saying not possible at all," he reasoned (15:40).
The former India opener was further asked to pick the best game of IPL 2024 to date.
"I feel it was the Rajasthan-KKR match. It was a match between No. 1 and No. 2. We haven't seen a better match than that this season. A lot of runs were scored, but in this one, runs were scored, wickets also fell, and more importantly, the run chase was incredible. This was the best T20 game in this season of the IPL," Chopra responded.
The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), on the back of Sunil Narine's blazing century, set the Rajasthan Royals (RR) a massive 224-run target in Kolkata on Tuesday, April 16. However, Jos Buttler's unbeaten 107 helped the visitors chase the target down off the final delivery with two wickets to spare.
"I would say let the Impact Player rule continue" - Aakash Chopra
![Jos Buttler played as an impact player for RR vs KKR. [P/C: iplt20.com]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/04/842c3-17134204825921-1920.jpg?w=500)
Aakash Chopra was also asked whether the Impact Player rule needs to be removed and if it's fair for everyone.
"It seems like a lot of runs are being scored because of the Impact Player rule, which is not incorrect. Let's be honest, a lot of runs have been scored and the impact player's availability has played a major role in that. You suddenly get the freedom and you hit a little form. Your batting used to end at No. 6 or No. 7 earlier but now you get a batter even at No. 8 or No. 9," he replied (14:00).
"You get an extra bowler in bowling, but no one is talking about why that is not stopping the batters. There will be a little resistance because you are seeing a lot of runs being scored but it doesn't happen every time. They (the runs) will go slightly up and then it will get settled down. I would say let the Impact Player rule continue," the renowned commentator added.
Cricket experts are split on whether the Impact Player rule should be continued. While some believe that the rule has made the game more interesting, others feel it could prove to be a stumbling block in the Indian all-rounders' development.