 |
| file |
In a pulsating World Cup final, Australia clinched their sixth title by defeating India in a high-stakes encounter at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. While the Kangaroos celebrated their victory, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has now turned its attention to the pitch used in the crucial clash, releasing ratings that have sparked a fresh round of discussions in the cricketing world.
The aftermath of India's loss in the World Cup final has seen coach Rahul Dravid raising questions about the Ahmedabad pitch. In a meeting with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Dravid expressed concerns, prompting the ICC to evaluate the pitch used in the final. The results are now out, with the ICC deeming the pitch as 'average.'
Despite the average rating, the outfield at the Narendra Modi Stadium has received high praise. Match referee Andy Pycroft, a former Zimbabwean batsman, described the outfield as 'excellent.' This acknowledgment comes as a silver lining, indicating that while the pitch may have raised eyebrows, the overall playing conditions were commendable.
Australia's victory marked their sixth World Cup title, securing a six-wicket triumph over India. Opting to bowl after winning the toss, the Kangaroos successfully chased down the target of 240 runs set by the Indian team in 43 overs. Travis Head emerged as the hero, scoring 137 runs off 120 balls, steering Australia to a convincing win.
The ICC also released ratings for pitches used in league matches across four different venues – Kolkata, Lucknow, Ahmedabad, and Chennai. These pitches hosted matches involving India against South Africa, England, Pakistan, and Australia. Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium, which hosted the India-New Zealand semifinal, received a positive rating, adding a twist to the ongoing debate about pitches in the tournament.
In a surprising turn of events, the ICC labeled the outfield at Kolkata's Eden Gardens as 'average.' This evaluation follows the second semifinal clash between Australia and South Africa. Despite Australia restricting South Africa to 212 runs in 49.4 overs, the evaluation suggests that there might be more to the story beneath the surface.
As the cricketing fraternity dissects these ratings and the controversy surrounding pitches continues, the Ahmedabad Stadium pitch rating adds another layer to the post-World Cup analysis. The conversation evolves, and fans eagerly await the next chapter in the world of cricket.
