'Saw Pitch Change Its Colour': Rohit Sharma, Rahul Dravid Accused Of 'Manipulating' ODI World Cup Final Pitch

Five months have elapsed since India's heart-wrenching defeat in the ODI World Cup 2023 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, yet the sting of loss remains fresh for many Indian fans.

AP

The hosts displayed champion-like performances throughout the tournament, sailing through matches without a single loss. However, their journey hit an unexpected roadblock at the final hurdle, and they succumbed to Australia's dominance.

Amidst discussions surrounding the team's defeat, one significant factor repeatedly highlighted is the pitch's condition. There's a prevailing sentiment that the curator may have tilted the game excessively in India's favour.

Kaif 'confirms' India's attempt to 'manipulate' WC final pitch

Recently, former Indian batsman Mohammad Kaif acknowledged that the home team indeed attempted to manipulate the match conditions but may have gone too far in their efforts.

TIL

"I was there for three days. Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid inspected the pitch every day for 3 days ahead of the final. They stood beside the pitch for an hour every day. I saw the pitch change its colour. There was no watering the pitch, no grass on the track. India wanted to give Australia a slow track. This is the truth, even if people don't want to believe it," Kaif revealed in an interview with Lallantop.

We messed up while doctoring the pitch: Kaif

India's decision to bat first after Australia's captain Pat Cummins won the toss surprised many. Cummins' astute reading of the pitch, which improved under lights, played a pivotal role as Australia executed their plans flawlessly, restricting India to 240.

TIL

"The feeling was that Australia had Pat Cummins, and Mitchell Starc, so India wanted to give a slow pitch, and that was our mistake. Many people say that curators do their own thing and we don't influence - that is rubbish. When you are moving around the pitch - you have to say just two lines - please don't put water, just reduce the grass. This happens. That is truth. And it should be done. You are playing at home. And we did it a little too much," Kaif emphasized.

"Cummins took the learning from Chennai that batting is tough at the start in a slow match. Nobody fields first in a final, but Cummins did. We messed up while doctoring the pitch," the 43-year-old concluded.

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