The International Cricket Council (ICC) has delivered its verdict on the pitch at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium, where the ODI World Cup final between India and Australia took place on November 19, deeming it as “average.” While ICC official Andy Pycroft praised the ground’s outfield, the pitch was characterized as slow in the report. Australia emerged victorious in the final, defeating India by six wickets.
During the final, India set a target of 240 runs in 50 overs, but Australia successfully chased it down in 43 overs, with opener Travis Head showcasing an outstanding performance, scoring a century of 137 off 120 balls.
The ICC also evaluated pitches in Kolkata, Lucknow, Ahmedabad, and Chennai, used during India’s matches against South Africa, England, Pakistan, and Australia in the series. The Wankhede Stadium pitch, where India faced New Zealand in the semi-final, received a positive rating from the ICC, despite being changed before the match.
In contrast, the pitch at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens, hosting the second semi-final between Australia and South Africa, was deemed average. Despite the low-scoring nature of the match, Javagal Srinath, ICC match official and former Indian fast bowler, commended the Eden Gardens outfield.
While Team India had a memorable World Cup winning their first 10 matches under captain Rohit Sharma, they faced defeat in the final. Key players such as Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Mohammad Shami emerged as crucial game changers during the tournament.
The ICC’s evaluation of pitches offers insights into the diverse conditions faced during the ODI World Cup, influencing match dynamics.
