KEY POINTS
- India has lost 20 consecutive coin tosses in ODIs, a streak stretching back to the 2023 World Cup final.
- KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, and Rohit Sharma have all faced the jinx of losing tosses.
- The odds of losing 20 tosses in a row are 1,048,576 to one, making it an extraordinary statistical anomaly.
ISLAMABAD: The Indian cricket team is trapped in an unbelievable streak of misfortune, having lost 20 consecutive coin tosses in one-day internationals (ODIs).
This bizarre and perplexing run has left players and fans alike scratching their heads, unsure of what is causing the unusual streak.
A Streak That Began with the 2023 World Cup Final
The streak started after the 2023 World Cup final in Ahmedabad, when India’s regular captain, Rohit Sharma, lost the toss. Since then, India’s luck has failed to improve.
Stand-in captain KL Rahul, along with Shubman Gill and Rohit, has all faced the same fate. The last time India won a toss was during the World Cup semi-final against New Zealand on November 15, 2023.
KL Rahul’s Struggle: “I’ve Been Practising, But…”
After another loss in the second ODI against South Africa in Raipur on Wednesday, December 3, Rahul admitted the mounting pressure. “I’ve been practising, but clearly, it’s not working,” he confessed.
The odds of losing 20 tosses in a row are a staggering 1,048,576 to one, making this streak one of the most unlikely in cricket history.
Legendary Opinions on the Unpredictable Streak
Batting legend Sunil Gavaskar weighed in on the streak, saying it is impossible to predict the outcome, as captains tend to call heads or tails based on personal preference.
“Who knows if Bavuma prefers heads or tails? It’s all down to chance,” he remarked.
Former South African pacer Dale Steyn also shared a quirky anecdote, recalling a time when Faf du Plessis asked Bavuma to handle the toss after a string of losses.
“I’ve never seen a captain ask another player to toss,” Steyn said, adding with a laugh, “And guess what? Temba lost that one, too.”
India’s Streak of Over Two Years
India’s astonishing streak of losing coin tosses in ODIs has now lasted 745 days. The streak began with the 2023 ODI World Cup final on November 19, 2023, when Australia opted to bowl first against India.
The last toss India won was on November 15, 2023, during the World Cup semifinal when they chose to bat first.
A World Record Streak
India’s current toss loss streak has set a world record, with no other team having lost more than 11 consecutive tosses.
The Netherlands come in second place, with their own streak lasting from 2011 to 2023. Among individual captains, Rohit Sharma shares the record for the most toss losses with Brian Lara.
The Indian Captains Sharing the Jinx
Over the course of these 20 games, the jinx has been shared by multiple Indian captains. This marks the 5th time KL Rahul has led Team India in this streak.
He captained India during an away series against South Africa in 2023, which India won 2-1. The team lost all five tosses during the Champions Trophy under Rohit Sharma, who was the captain at the time.
Shubman Gill also joined the streak during the recent series against Australia. Other series where India suffered toss losses include their encounters in Sri Lanka in 2024 and against England in early 2025.
India’s Hope for a Change in Fortune
Despite the ongoing toss misfortune, India has continued to perform well on the field, winning most of their matches.
Fans remain hopeful that the team’s luck will change in the upcoming games. India’s next match against South Africa is scheduled for December 6, 2025, followed by a series against New Zealand, beginning January 11, 2026.
The question on everyone’s mind: will the streak finally come to an end?
