The match-fixing cloud has returned to haunt the Indian Premier League in 2018 season courtesy of a TV clip by Hotstar going viral on the social media. What does this video contain that has left cricket fans gutted? Well, the footage is purportedly of VIVO IPL 2018 promo showing Chennai Super Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders. Yes, Hotstar app has apparently started broadcasting a TVC on IPL 11 final live streaming, but the big catch is – IPL 2018 finalists are yet to be decided! While Chennai Super Kings have made to the IPL 2018 final to be played on May 27, their opponents will be decided after the Qualifier 2 match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad on May 25. Twitterati is buzzing with claims of Shah Rukh Khan-co-owned KKR and MS Dhoni's CSK being two most followed teams in IPL and which is why they are featuring in the finals!
One can understand the ire of netizens who are feeling cheated after watching the Hotstar ad about the final match, days before the finalists of IPL 2018 are decided. The domestic Twenty20 cricket tournament that started in 2008 has always been under the radar of the eagle-eyed cricket lovers for having ‘scripted’ matches. But earlier this week, their doubts looked valid after a 10-second clip by Hotstar surfaced on the social media.
Watch Hotstar IPL 2018 Final Ad Featuring CSK vs KKR!
Hotstar, the official digital platform of Indian Premier League showcased an IPL 11 final promo showing MS Dhoni’s CSK taking on Dinesh Karthik-led KKR! It asked the viewers to get ready to catch the live action of CSK vs KKR in IPL 2018 final. The BIG, BIG, BIGGG problem is Kolkata has not made to finals yet. After beating Rajasthan Royals by 25 runs in the Eliminator match on May 23, KKR will next be facing Sunrisers Hyderabad in Qualifier 2 on Friday. SRH are coming off a loss against CSK in the Qualifier 1 played on May 22. Cricket fans fail to understand how could Hotstar ‘predict’ and run an advert featuring CSK-KKR final match with Kolkata yet to qualify for the finals. Twitterati is Convinced VIVO Indian Premier League 2018 is FIXED!!
Are All Matches of IPL 2018 Really Fixed? Yes, As per This Guy
All the IPL matches are fixed..
Fully Scripted tournament..
Final will be CSK vs KKR..
Because these two teams are having massive fan following.. SRK & his frnds will come to watch that match..
Television rating will be high..
So BCCI will make sure that KKR goes to the final..
— Rohan K (@RoflMarathi_) May 22, 2018
We Are As Stunned As You’re Watching This Hotstar Ad
Hotstar Predicted IPL Final So Early CSKvKKR Lmao 😂
Fixed? pic.twitter.com/TxwgW596A3
— Sharan (@hanjiokay) May 23, 2018
Don't Want To, But It Looks Like IPL 2018 is Indeed Fixed
Whether you trust me or not, this entire IPL thing is fixed 😕🤕 #KKRvRR
— Rizwan Siddiquee (@BinaryGru) May 23, 2018
MS Dhoni's Chennai Super Kings Under Twitterati's Radar!
When you already know that match is fixed, so you can't be excited to win matches. 👇#IPL #CSKvSRH pic.twitter.com/LKm86bdMp8
— Muhammad Owais 🇵🇰 (@xmowais) May 23, 2018
Still in Disbelief to See Hotstar Run IPL 2018 Promo in Advance!!
#Hotstar Alredy Started Promo Final #IPL2018 Match B/w #CSKvKKR Shame On fixing Predictions.With out #SRHvKKR playing match how can promote final match #OrangeArmy #KKRHaiTaiyaar #WhistlePodu pic.twitter.com/2etxzwwNRZ
— Mandava Sainaresh (@IamNaresh36) May 24, 2018
Ironically, Chennai Super Kings are making a return to IPL after a gap of two years after being banned from the tournament on charges of spot-fixing. MS Dhoni and his yellow brigade are playing to reclaim their lost glory, but with match-fixing allegations already creating a buzz, the excitement of watching them play in the finals has fizzled out. Do you also believe the IPL 2018 to be ‘fixed’ or not? Let us know your thoughts over the same in the comments section.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 24, 2018 04:13 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).