ICC rates Ahmedabad pitch for CWC 2023 final "Average"

Indian head coach Rahul Dravid also blamed the pitch for the ICC CWC 2023 final loss against Australia.

India suffered a crushing World Cup final defeat against Australia at the Narendra Modi International Cricket Stadium in Ahmedabad. Despite having a stellar performance till the semi-final, India failed to pull themselves up and lost the big final miserably. Reportedly, India head coach Rahul Dravid also blamed the wicket for the loss and accepted that the too much dryness of the surface made them struggle. India could only manage to score 240 runs in 50 overs. 

Now, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has rated the pitch used for the big final at the Narendra Modi International Cricket Stadium in Ahmedabad as ‘average’ along with the one Australia and South Africa took on each other in the semi-final played at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Both of the games were low-scoring but Eden Gardens wicket was tough to bat even under lights while Ahmedabad became a little better during Australia’s chase in the final. 

Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Kolkata, Chennai pitches rated ‘Average’ by ICC

The pitch rating for the World Cup final game is given by the match referee Andy Pycroft as he was serving as referee in the game. Javagal Srinath rated the Eden Gardens wicket as he served as match referee in that game. Out of 11 games India played in the mega event, a total of five pitches have been rated ‘average’ by the ICC including the World Cup final against Australia in Ahmedabad. India played the entire tournament in 9 different venues.

Eden Gardens’ wicket against South Africa, Ekana Stadium’s wicket against England, Narendra Modi Stadium’s wicket against Pakistan, and Chepauk Stadium’s wicket against Australia were rated as ‘average’ that India played. Wankhede Stadium’s wicket was used for the semi-final one between India and New Zealand and was rated as ‘good’. A massive controversy erupted as the hosts were accused of changing the wicket at the last moment. 

Australian skipper Pat Cummins also raised concerns over the wicket used in the World Cup final. India found it tough to score in the first innings. After Virat Kohli’s departure, India scored only 3 boundaries in 22 overs. The wicket changed drastically and Travis Head’s impressive knock of 137 runs helped Australia clinch their 6th World Cup title. Australia chased down the total in the 43rd over. India remained unbeaten till the World Cup final. 

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