Indian minister claims Champions Trophy final was fixed

Pakistan beat India by a staggering 180 runs in the June 18 match at the Oval

An Indian minister on Saturday accused Virat Kohli and his team of fixing the final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 against Pakistan. India lost the June 18 match at the Oval by a staggering 180 runs.

"How could the cricketers, who played so well in the entire tournament, not perform in the final match (in London on June 18)?" NDTV quoted India’s Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale as saying.



"In the match against Pakistan, someone like Virat Kohli who scores a century so often and other accomplished players like Yuvraj Singh who have scored so many runs in the past, looked like they were playing to lose," he said. "Was the match fixing involved? There should be an inquiry into this."

"Anil Kumble was the coach there. Kohli, who has scored so many runs in the past, what happened to him that day? That's the reason why I have a doubt that was it a case of match-fixing," Athawale said.

"Our players kneeled in front of a rival like Pakistan. To kneel in front of them in such a way is major act of disrespect to your nation," the minister added.