Despite dominating the entire Cricket World Cup, India fell short in the final against Australia, losing on a “slow and lethargic” pitch, according to former India batter Ambati Rayudu. Australia dashed India’s hopes of claiming their third ODI World Cup title last week at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. After being put into bat, India was bowled out for 240, which Australia chased down with relative ease, despite an early scare.
Rayudu, who retired from all forms of cricket earlier this year, expressed his belief that the pitch prepared for the final was not conducive to high-scoring cricket. “I feel the wicket was slow and lethargic for a final,” Ambati Rayudu stated on BeerBiceps’ YouTube channel. “We were way stronger than the Australians. Unfortunately, we got stuck on a wicket that was so slow. I don’t think that should’ve happened.”
He further emphasized the importance of having a pitch that supports both batting and bowling, regardless of the format. “We have the strength and skill to beat any side. In limited overs game, the toss shouldn’t matter. That is the ideal scenario,” Ambati Rayudu remarked.
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When asked if he suspected the pitch was intentionally prepared to be slow, Rayudu replied, “I don’t know if anyone has thought about it or done it on purpose. If they have done it on purpose, it’s stupidity. But I don’t think they did that on purpose.”
Rayudu’s disappointment with the pitch conditions echoed the sentiments of ace Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who had previously laughed off media reports suggesting that the pitch for India’s Cricket World Cup semifinal against New Zealand was altered at the behest of the hosts.
“Journalists from other countries comment that the pictures have been changed and so on but it is clearly laughable. India is a unique country, different parts of the country have different soils,” Ravichandran Ashwin remarked.
He further addressed the unique bowling strategy employed by Australia’s Pat Cummins in the final, which involved bowling a majority of his deliveries on the shorter side. “I had not watched a fast bowler bowl to a conventional field for an off-spinner, which Pat Cummins executed perfectly against India in the final,” Ravichandran Ashwin observed.
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Ashwin also commended the Australian camp for their unwavering support for Travis Head, who played a crucial role in their victory. “They backed him wholeheartedly, and he repaid their faith with a fantastic performance,” Ravichandran Ashwin acknowledged.
While the pitch conditions may have played a role in India’s defeat, it is evident that Australia played a more adaptable and aggressive game, ultimately deserving of their victory.
