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'I Would Disagree..', Rahul Dravid Defends World Cup 2023 Pitches After ICC’s Average Rating

image-lo05efc8Indian players celebrating an Australian wicket in Chennai [X.com]

Indian coach Rahul Dravid has come out in defence of World Cup 2023 pitches used for the team's all-important fixtures against Australia and Pakistan. Earlier this week, the International Cricket Council (ICC) rated the Chennai and Ahmedabad wickets used for Australia and Pakistan matches as 'average'. At the same time, the remaining pitches were termed as 'good' by the apex body.

Dravid believes the spin-friendly conditions on offer for those two games had good wickets on them, and it is a matter of learning how to overcome spin threat regardless of playing conditions.

Rahul Dravid defends World Cup 2023 pitches

Team India scythed through Australia by six wickets in Chennai and thumped Pakistan by seven wickets in Ahmedabad. In both instances, the Indian bowlers had restricted their opponents under 200, with spinners and fast bowlers both claiming their share of wickets on offer.

Even though the team's leading speedsters, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, claimed match-winning spells in Ahmedabad against Pakistan, the playing surface at the Narendra Modi Stadium was deemed as 'average' by the ICC. Moreover, the apex body also branded Chennai's surface from Australia with a similar rating, while the rest of the World Cup 2023 pitches received positive approvals.

Indian coach Rahul Dravid disapproved ICC's ratings a day before his side's much-awaited clash against New Zealand in Dharamsala and claimed that players should learn how to play spin on turning surfaces. He said:

“I would respectfully disagree with the average ratings of the two wickets by the ICC because I think they were good wickets. If you only want to see 4s-6s being hit, then you have T20s for it. One day cricket demands skills. You need skills to bat and bowl. It's only a matter of how to play spin, we played well on those wickets, weather I talk about Delhi or Pune.”

Regardless, Team India will now face New Zealand on a lively Dharamsala wicket on October 22.

The 'Men in Blue' is yet to lose a single game this tournament as they registered emphatic wins over Australia, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh in successive games up front.