The Indian cricket team is currently basking in the glory of their recent triumph at the 2024 T20 World Cup. Led by captain Rohit Sharma, the team ended an 11-year drought for an ICC title by defeating South Africa in the final. However, just a few months ago, the team faced a different scenario. India, previously considered unbeatable, suffered a defeat to Australia in the final of the ODI World Cup 2023 in Ahmedabad. Adding insult to injury, former India star Mohammad Kaif later claimed that the pitch had been intentionally slowed down.
"I was there for three days. Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid inspected the pitch every day for 3 days ahead of the final. They stood beside the pitch for an hour every day. I saw the pitch change its colour. There was no watering the pitch, no grass on the track. India wanted to give Australia a slow track. This is the truth, even if people don't want to believe it," Kaif said on Lallantop in an interview.
Viram Rathour, the former batting coach of the Indian cricket team, has finally spoken out on the matter. Rathour was present during both the T20 World Cup 2024 and the ODI World Cup 2023.
"I've heard this story that the pitch was different, which I don't agree with at all. We played on similar wickets in the earlier matches as well. Matches against Australia, Pakistan and England were also played on slow pitches. The Ahmedabad pitch, however, eased out," Rathour told Sportstar.
India's captain, Rohit Sharma, won the toss and chose to bat first. On the other hand, Australia's Pat Cummins was content to bowl first, as he believed the pitch would improve as the day went on.
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