[WATCH] IND vs SA 2025: KL Rahul reveals unique advice that helped India break 20-match toss jinx

Standby ODI skipper KL Rahul revealed how some valuable advice from team analyst Hari Prasad Mohan helped him break India’s toss losing streak in ODIs. The Men in Blue won their first toss in ODIs after losing a whopping 20 in a row, with the streak running since the 2023 ODI World Cup semi-final up until the third ODI of the series against South Africa.

While not being able to control his smile, Rahul revealed that Hari had suggested the wicketkeeper-batter to spin the coin with his left hand instead of his right. 

“What worked for me today? We had our analyst Hari who gave me a few tricks. He asked me to spin it from my left hand and cross my right hand. At this point, I mean, before the toss, there are a bunch of superstitions and a bunch of things that everyone has been saying,” stated Rahul in the video posted by the Board of Control for Cricket in India.

Rahul also opened up that he followed Hari’s suggestion instead of the one provided by teammate Virat Kohli. He concluded by expressing happiness on being able to call right at the toss. 

“Virat gave me a different opinion. I stuck with Hari because he said the same thing in the last game as well and he’s been the most pushy out of everybody so I said, ‘Okay, let’s give it a try. How bad can it be? We’ve lost 20 tosses. 21 may not be that bad’. So yeah, I went in with no expectations and I’m happy that we won the toss,” he added.

India opted to field first at the ACA-VDCA Stadium on December 6. The decision paid off as well, with the Proteas bowled out for 270 in 47.5 overs.