Last Update on: November 20th, 2023 at 10:38 am
Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has said the pitch prepared for the final backfired for Team India after they were thoroughly outplayed at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. High-flying India locked horns against Australia in the title decider and entered the game as favorites.
Having won all of their 10 games in the competition including a 6-wicket win over Australia, India were widely expected to beat the team from Down Under. However, the Pat Cummins-led side completely outplayed India to power Australia to a record-extending sixth World Cup title.
Opting to bowl first, Australia bowled out India for a modest total of 240 runs despite fifties from KL Rahul (66) and Virat Kohli (54). Mitchell Starc picked up 3 wickets while Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood claimed 2 wickets apiece. In reply, Australia chased down the total in 43 overs thanks to a stunning century from Travis Head. He scored 137 runs and shared a big stand of 192 runs with Marnus Labuschagne who remained unbeaten on 58.
Ricky Ponting’s verdict on the pitch:
The pitch was a major talking point before the game. The BCCI was accused of changing the pitch at the last moment before the semifinal to suit Team India. The game against New Zealand was reportedly set to be played on a fresh pitch but was eventually played on a used pitch.
The pitch that was used for the final was also a used one. It was the same surface on which India had thrashed Pakistan by 7 wickets after bowling them out for 191. That pitch received an “average” rating by the ICC. As India struggled against Australia, Ricky Ponting stated that the pitch preparation completely backfired for the home team.
“It was very, very sub-continental conditions today. A wicket preparation that has probably ended up backfiring on India to be totally fair,” Ricky Ponting said on air.
Meanwhile, India captain Rohit Sharma refused to blame the pitch for his team’s dismal outing in the all-important final, saying: “We knew under the lights it would be slightly better but I don’t want to give that as an excuse.”
