India’s 2023 World Cup campaign came to a halt in Ahmedabad when they lost to Australia by six wickets in the championship match. As the only undefeated team in the competition, the hosts were predicted to win easily against their fierce rivals, but the Australians turned the tables in the championship match to claim a historic victory.
The slow pitch at the Narendra Modi Stadium, which hindered Rohit Sharma and company in the championship, shocked the crowd. Australia, needing 241 runs, reached the mark in 43 overs thanks to centuries from Travis Head (137) and Marnus Labuschagne (58*), who was undefeated at half-century. In what ended out being an underwhelming performance for Indian bowlers, Jasprit Bumrah took two wickets while Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj had a dismissal each.
India’s initial batting performance was below average as they were bowled out for 240 in 50 overs, which was a significant departure from their typical tournament batting form. KL Rahul led the home team in scoring with a patient 66 runs off 107 balls. The wicketkeeper-batter, lacking an efficient partner, was left to play such a slow knock when Virat Kohli was dismissed. In the meantime, Rohit (47), who was just short of a fifty, and Kohli (54) both scored half-centuries. With Mitchell Starc taking three wickets in the final, the Australian bowlers were at their most lethal. Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, meanwhile, both claimed two wickets.
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Former Indian cricketer Ambati Rayudu attributed the World Cup final to the sluggish surface, which was created in Ahmedabad. He said, “Even the wicket was very, very slow and lethargic for a final,” on BeerBiceps’ YouTube channel. Whose idea it was, I cannot say. Given that we outmatched the Australian team in strength, I believe that even a standard surface would have sufficed. In the end, none of that was necessary. Regretfully, it wasn’t what was intended to be a good cricket wicket.”
In addition to finding it difficult to get the bat in the middle overs, India lost wickets during critical stretches, which affected their performance in the last overs. Meanwhile, the pitch got better for batting in the run chase as the visitors reached the target easily.
“For some reason, people believe that by setting up a pitch like that, they are aiding the Indian team. We were stranded on an extremely slow wicket. I don’t believe that ought to occur. It ought to be a favourable wicket for cricket. We are stronger and more skilled than any opposition. An ideal limited-overs game would have the pitch stay the same for the whole 100 overs. The former CSK player stated, “The toss shouldn’t really matter that much.
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“I’m not sure if it was intentional or just something someone thought about. It’s foolishness if they had done it on purpose. However, I don’t think they would have followed through,” he continued.
Despite the defeat, India had something to cheer about as Kohli was named the Player of the Tournament. The veteran also finished as the top-scorer with 765 runs in 11 matches, packed with three tons and seven half-centuries. Meanwhile, Mohammed Shami finished as the highest wicket-taker, with 24 wickets in seven games.
