Cricket legends Brett Lee, Ricky Ponting and Wasim Akram believe that the slow pitch prepared for the World Cup final may have deprived India of their greatest strength.
Pat Cummins, concerned about the pitch, chose to bowl first, surprising the cricketing world. The decision turned out to be a masterstroke as the wicket played slow in the first innings, and later, with the dew falling, the ball skidded nicely onto the bat.
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In the second innings, Travis Head (137) and Marnus Labuschagne (58*) took advantage of the quickening wicket, forming a crucial 192 partnership to steer the Aussies to their sixth global crown in Ahmedabad on Sunday.
What did Brett Lee say about the pitch used for India vs Aus World Cup final?
The Indian pacers, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah, had been in terrific form and the slow wicket took away their sheen.
“Traditionally if you look at that wicket, it rags and turns square so any dew and moisture on that wicket will allow the ball to skid on and be easier to chase,” Lee told foxsports.com.au.
“I was surprised, if you have a look at the Indian attack, Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami, they’ve been on fire this World Cup. It’s the quick bowlers who have been doing very well so I actually thought they’d try to knick off the Aussie top order. If they could have made some serious inroads early, that would have been their best way to try and take out that 240 and dominate. I was surprised they prepared a low and slow wicket which didn’t help them."
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This is what other experts said about the sluggish Ahmedabad wicket that was used for the World Cup 2023 final between India and Australia:
Ricky Ponting, Former Australia captain:
It was very, very sub-continental conditions today. A wicket preparation that has probably ended up backfiring on India to be totally fair.
Michael Vaughan, Former England captain:
Strategically they (Australia) 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.
Nasser Hussain, Former England captain:
India are still a great side - but the pitch brought Australia into it. India’s four bowlers not being able to bat that well came back to haunt them. That’s why (KL) Rahul and (Virat) Kohli couldn’t go hard. They were worried about Shami at No 8.
Wasim Akram, Former Pakistan captain
The crucial point is, pitch. It should be a good pitch. In such a crucial match, the ball should come onto the bat easily. We all wanted a good pitch.
Misbah-ul-haq, Former Pakistan captain
India must have thought that this is final and there is pressure. So get the runs on the board by batting first. Later they realised...After five overs, there was no swing and even with a dryer ball, the spinners were ineffective.
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What next for India and Australia?
Australia will now turn their attention to a T20 series against India, before the home Test summer will see the championship-winning outfit take on Pakistan and West Indies.
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