{
  "id": 9564716,
  "title": "Aakash Chopra on IND vs JAP wide controversy: ‘Lot of people who want to abuse India…’",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/aakash-chopra-on-ind-vs-jap-wide-controversy-lot-of-people-who-want",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-24T14:17:52.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Indian Express",
    "slug": "the-indian-express",
    "url": "https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/aakash-chopra-on-ind-vs-jap-wide-controversy-lot-of-people-who-want-to-abuse-india-10892610/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A controversial moment unfolded during the India-Japan cricket match in the final over, when a wide decision was overturned by the umpires after the Indian team protested. The game ended in a nail-biting finish, with India emerging victorious by just two runs. The wide decision proved pivotal, potentially leading to a draw. Social media erupted with outrage over the decision, with critics alleging that India had cheated to win the match. Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra, in a YouTube video, vehemently denounced those who claimed India had cheated. He argued that the wide decision was reversed due to the pressure exerted by the Indian players. Chopra stated, \"There are a lot of people who want to abuse India.\" He clarified his initial understanding of the rules, which he later found to be incorrect. He explained, \"If you don't hit the switch hit, if you haven't swapped your hands, that means you have not become a right-handed batter from a left-handed batter.\" Chopra further elaborated on the rules, stating that both switch hits and reverse sweeps are viewed similarly under the new ICC guidelines. According to these rules, the batter's change in stance, regardless of whether the ball is in hand or released, counts as a change in position. This change benefits the bowler, he added. Chopra concluded, \"You are both a left-hander and a right-hander in the eyes of the law.\"",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "Aakash Chopra defends India against cheating accusations in wide controversy.",
    "Former cricketer clarifies switch hit rules, emphasizing stance change.",
    "India wins by two runs after wide decision overturned in final over."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}