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The aftermath of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 final between India and Australia has been clouded with controversy as allegations of pitch doctoring by India's head coach Rahul Dravid and captain Rohit Sharma surface. The final, held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, saw India suffering a crushing defeat against Australia, prompting questions about the conditions of the pitch and its alleged manipulation.
The match, held on November 19, marked a pivotal moment for Indian cricket, with hopes of breaking a long-standing ICC title drought. However, the dream turned sour as Australia emerged victorious in what seemed like a one-sided affair. The defeat came as a shock to Indian fans who had witnessed their team's remarkable ten-match winning streak leading up to the final.
The controversy revolves around the nature of the pitch used in the final, with accusations of it being deliberately altered to favor Australia's strengths. Former India batter Mohammed Kaif, who was part of the broadcasting team during the tournament, revealed startling details about Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid's alleged involvement in inspecting the pitch in the days leading up to the final.
Kaif's revelation suggests that Rohit and Dravid visited the pitch multiple times before the final, observing significant changes in its color and characteristics. This has led to suspicions that the pitch was intentionally modified to slow down and suit Australia's bowling attack, which included formidable bowlers like Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc.
The slow nature of the pitch played into Australia's hands, as their bowlers stifled India's batting lineup, restricting them to a modest total of 240 runs. Australia, capitalizing on the favorable conditions, comfortably chased down the target, with Travis Head's outstanding performance contributing significantly to their victory.
The allegations of pitch doctoring have stirred debate within the cricketing community, with Kaif pointing out that the decision to alter the pitch may have backfired for India. He referenced Cummins' learning from Australia's earlier defeat against India in Chennai, where a similar strategy had failed, leading Cummins to opt for chasing in the final, a move that ultimately paid off for Australia.
Kaif's remarks shed light on the intricacies and potential pitfalls of pitch preparation tactics, highlighting the fine line between home advantage and fair play in international cricket. The controversy serves as a reminder of the scrutiny and challenges faced by teams in high-stakes tournaments, where even the slightest advantage can have a significant impact on the outcome.
As discussions around the alleged pitch manipulation continue, the incident raises questions about the responsibilities of teams and officials in ensuring a level playing field and maintaining the integrity of the game at all times.
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