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Cricketing Legends 'Slam' Team India Amid Pitch Manipulation Failure

image-lp7vtlk6Australia celebrate World Cup title [X.Com]

Former legendary cricketers Ricky Ponting, Michael Vaughan, and Nasser Hussain are of the opinion that India’s pitch manipulation tactic may have significantly contributed to their downfall in this year’s World Cup. The deck used for the 2023 World Cup Final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad was the same deck where India sailed to a crushing 7-wicket victory against arch-rivals Pakistan with more than 19 overs to spare.

Upon winning the toss, the Australia skipper Pat Cummins made a bold decision to bowl first which baffled leading experts and fans from around the world. Nevertheless, his decision proved to be very decisive as batting became progressively easier under lights, and with dew taking centerstage, the likes of Kuldeep and Jadeja were rendered ineffective.

Pitch saga hits back at Team India

Following Australia’s emphatic World Cup finale victory, speculations began taking shape as former cricketers and experts voiced their views on the home side’s role in influencing pitch preparations ahead of the blockbuster final.

The two-time World Cup-winning captain Ricky Ponting was swift to react. In a conversation with Fox Sports, Ponting stated that the pitch that was tailor-made for the hosts immensely backfired.

“It was very, very sub-continental conditions today. A wicket preparation that has probably ended up backfiring on India to be totally fair.”

Other former cricketers such as Michael Vaughan and former England captain Nasser Hussain also shed their light on this particular subject. While Vaughan said Australia controlled the conditions much easier than India, Hussain opined that India's strategy to safeguard their vulnerable middle order became a major reason why the pitch backfired on India.

“Strategically they are a very clever team. They’ve clearly got a very clever think tank. I don’t think they are a 320 side, they are a 280 side and preparing a pitch like this gave Australia a chance. They did exactly what Pat Cummins said they would, they’ve silenced the crowd. They’ve done it in great fashion. I don’t know anyone who thought the game would be done in 43 overs with Australia coasting to the target.”

This is not the first time that the pitch controversy sparked a massive debate during the World Cup. Ahead of India’s semi-final clash against New Zealand, the Wankhede pitch had also come under the scanner as the BCCI had to deal with a barrage of allegations around pitch swapping in the eleventh hour to suit the home side.