BCCI under heat for using ‘slow, used pitch’ for World Cup Final

Following India’s defeat to Australia in the World Cup 2023 Final on Sunday, fans expressed their discontent by criticizing the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for opting for a slow and used pitch for the crucial match at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The pitch used in the final was the same one on which India faced Pakistan in a league stage, which had also faced backlash for its lack of pace.

The decision to stick with a similar pitch has reignited criticism against the Indian board, drawing heat from disappointed netizens. Check fans’ reactions below.

It was a used pitch. But did not see an Australian exposé or ICC official's anguish over it helping the home team? #INDvsAUSfinal @ICC @ICCMediaComms @BCCI

— Kannan Venu (@kannanvenu) November 20, 2023

Still wondering how @BCCI selected this Ahmedabad Day 5 Test Pitch over our 2011 winning Wankhede. Someone should be responsible and brief the Indian fans.

— Vishnu (@vishnuvkb22) November 19, 2023

This man Rohit absolutely deserves this title.
I'm clueless how the hell @ICC and @BCCI can use this sorts of slowest pitch in this big final where the team wining the toss will absolutely write off the second team considering the huge dew factor in the second inning.#INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/7S5Uf0FTtX

— shekhar khadka (@shekharkhadka10) November 19, 2023

Proud of the Indian team who played world class cricket right through the tournament.

The @BCCI was stupid enough to prepare a slow dry pitch for a Final when our batsmen were scoring 300+ and our fast bowlers were bowling out oppositions on fast wickets throughout.

Backfired!

— Nikhil Kondajji | ನಿಖಿಲ್ ಕೊಂಡಜ್ಜಿ (@NikhilKondajji) November 20, 2023

Do you think it was a pitch made for WC final? I think BCCI should stick to Wankhede for finals. All credit goes to Cummins for reading it right. I feel for Rohit as there is nothing else he could have done to win. It was a dissappointing end to the otherwise great WC.

— Amit Joshi (@amtya21) November 20, 2023

@BCCI Please answer Janta on this. Wasn't it your responsibility to provide a pitch that is equal for both sides? Should toss be so much of deciding factor on win? Indian spinners went wicketless! While it was so tough for Indians to bat. #INDvsAUSfinal #INDvAUS #CWC23 #BCCI

— Umesh Nigudkar (@umesh04) November 20, 2023

Not the first time: BCCI faces heat over pitches

During the World Cup semi-final between India and New Zealand in Mumbai, concerns over the pitch were raised. Initially, ICC consultant Andy Atkinson’s evaluation led to the selection of pitch number seven for critical matches.

However, there was a last-minute change in the chosen pitch, with pitch number six, which had already been used twice in the tournament for England-South Africa and India-Sri Lanka matches, taking its place. Nevertheless, the issue was swiftly put to rest as a perfectly suitable batting wicket was prepared at the Wankhede Stadium.

Also Read

• World Cup 2023 Points Table
• Most Runs in WC 2023
• Most Wickets in WC 2023
• India squad for IND vs AUS T20 series delayed for WC final

Despite India’s dominant run in the ICC World Cup 2023, the drought of ICC trophies continues for the Men In Blue. Their last triumph was in the Champions Trophy 2013 in England, led by former captain MS Dhoni.

In 2023, they had two opportunities to break the drought – first in the World Test Championship (WTC) Final against Australia and now in the ICC World Cup 2023 against the same opponent. Unfortunately, they stumbled in these crucial matches.

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