The International Cricket Council (ICC) has assigned an ‘Average’ rating to the pitch used in the ODI World Cup final between India and Australia at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. This assessment follows a similar ‘Average’ rating given to the pitch used in the second semi-final between Australia and South Africa at Eden Gardens, with match referee Andy Pycroft and Javagal Srinath in charge of the final and semi-final, respectively.
Reports indicate that India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, and certain support staff have already communicated concerns to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) regarding the condition of the playing surface in the final.
Batting first on the slow and challenging wicket, the Indian team managed to post only 240 runs, which proved insufficient for victory. Despite the impressive form of players like Virat Kohli and KL Rahul leading up to the final, they struggled against the Australian bowlers.
The evening conditions made batting more comfortable, and despite a strong effort from Indian bowlers Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah, the visiting team found themselves at 47/3 at one point. However, a stellar performance by Travis Head, supported by Marnus Labuschagne’s gritty half-century and Glenn Maxwell’s winning runs, led Australia to secure their sixth ODI World Cup title in Ahmedabad.
Controversy surrounded the pitch both before and after the match. Australian media suggested the surface was tailor-made for Indian success before the final, while former captain Ricky Ponting remarked that India’s strategy to play on a slow pitch had ‘backfired’ after the match.
In the tournament overall, five out of India’s 11 matches were played on pitches labeled as ‘average.’ These matches include the opening game against Australia, the one against Pakistan in Ahmedabad, the match against England in Lucknow, the game against South Africa in Kolkata, and the pitch used in the final against Australia.
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