Kolkata: Wikipedia is one of the most reliable sources of information in today’s world where virtually everything is dependent on the internet. Launched by Jimmy Wales and Larry Sanger in 2001, it has information about more or less everything under the sun and is used by people from diverse backgrounds.
But this can be misused by people who edit the Wikipedia pages and fool millions across the globe. Such an incident happened when the Wikipedia page for the Women’s World Cup prematurely declared India to be the winners of the marquee tournament in women’s cricket, just couple of days before they are scheduled to play the final against hosts England at the iconic Lord’s stadium. However, the margin of the victory wasn’t stated.
The Indian eves led by Mithali Raj stunned the defending champions Australia, in the second semi-final in Derby. Batting first, they rode on a stylish and powerful 171* run knock from the bat of Harmanpreet Kaur to finish their innings at 281/4 in the match which was reduced to 42 overs a side due to rain. The Australian batswomen then got their team off to poor start but Elyse Villani, Ellyse Perry and Alex Blackwell tried to keep Australia in the hunt for a win but in the end, the sheer brilliance of the Indian women saw the Australians fall short of 36 runs and crash out of the tournament.
However, this isn’t the first instance of a Wikipedia page spreading wrong information.
Earlier in 2007, Turkish historian Taner Akçam was detained at an airport in Canada because his Wikipedia page had information which indicated that he was a terrorist.
India would now take on England in the final on the 23rd of July. Mithali Raj had earlier led her team to the finals of the World Cup in 2005 but were defeated by Australia. Becoming the only Indian women’s captain to take her team to the world cup final for the second time, Mithali wouldn’t let this opportunity go away easily.