The pitch used for the World Cup 2023 final between India and Australia at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad has been graded "average" by the International Cricket Council (ICC). The final match's outfield was judged "very good" by ICC match referee and former Zimbabwe cricketer Andy Pycroft.
India had batted first in the final on November 19 after Australia captain Pat Cummins won the toss. Virat Kohli and KL Rahul started with half centuries, while Rohit Sharma gave a flying start to India with a knock of 47. India was 80/2 in 10 overs, but could only manage 160 runs in the last 40 overs with only 4 boundaries to finish with a below-par 240 in 50 overs.
Though India started their defense well, reducing Australia to 47/3 at one stage, with the dew in their favor, Australia completed the chase in 43 overs. Travis Head made a match-winning 137 in the final.
The Mumbai pitch over which India played their semi-final against New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium was given a “good” rating. This is despite media reports stating that that India had changed the pitch for the last four matches at the last minute and a used surface was used instead of a fresh pitch.
ICC also gave an “average” rating to pitches used in India’s group matches against South Africa (Kolkata), England (Lucknow), Pakistan (Ahmedabad) and Australia (Chennai).
The second semifinal pitch in Kolkata’s Eden Gardens was rated ‘average’. The encounter was a low-scoring thriller as South Africa was bowled out for 212 before Australia completed that chase in 47.2 overs despite losing seven wickets.
The outfield at Eden Garden during the match was given a “very good” rating by match referee Javagal Srinath.
(PTI inputs)
