India’s crushing defeat to Australia in the ODI World Cup 2023 final continues to spark debate, with former cricketer Mohammed Kaif making sensational claims about pitch doctoring.
India’s dream run ends in heartbreak
The 19th of November 2023 was a day of immense disappointment for Indian cricket fans. After a dominant run throughout the tournament, India fell short in the final against Australia at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Chasing a modest target of 241, Australia cruised to victory thanks to a superb knock by Travis Head.
Pitch a talking point after loss
Many questioned the sluggishness of the pitch, a stark contrast to the lively surfaces on which India had thrived earlier in the World Cup. This week, Kaif, who was part of the tournament’s broadcast team, raised eyebrows with his comments about the pitch preparation.
Mohammed Kaif Alleges Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid Involvement
Mohammed Kaif alleged that then-captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Rahul Dravid regularly visited the pitch in the days leading up to the final. He revealed on Guest in the Newsroom on TheLallanTop to have witnessed a visible change in the pitch’s colour, suggesting potential manipulation.
Kaif believes India’s attempt to gain an advantage by preparing a slow pitch backfired. He argued that India’s bowling attack, in top form throughout the tournament, would have thrived on a more balanced surface.
Pat Cummins decision to Bowl First Justified
Kaif also highlighted Pat Cummins’ astute decision to bowl first as Australia captain. He believes Cummins learned from their earlier defeat against India in Chennai, where batting first proved costly.
It’s important to note that Kaif’s claims haven’t been verified by any official sources. The ICC or the BCCI haven’t commented on the allegations.
Debate Continues: India-Australia WC Final
The nature of the pitch and India’s tactics remain a talking point. Whether India’s strategy backfired or Australia simply outplayed them on the day is a matter of ongoing debate among cricket fans and pundits alike.
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