The pitch in question was utilized for the title clash between India and Australia at Narendra Modi Stadium, where Australia emerged victorious, breaking India’s 10-match unbeaten streak. The International Cricket Council (ICC) provided ratings not only for the Ahmedabad pitch but also for the semifinal matches.
The final, held on November 19, saw India batting first on a sluggish pitch and managing to score 240 runs. However, Australia successfully chased down the target with seven overs to spare, thanks to Travis Head’s remarkable century.
Before the crucial encounter, Australian captain Pat Cummins had expressed concerns about the pitch, which had been previously used for the India-Pakistan match on October 14. In contrast, Indian captain Rohit Sharma refrained from engaging in discussions about the pitch. Following the final, two-time World Cup-winning captain Ricky Ponting suggested that India’s pitch strategy for the final had “backfired.”
According to a report in the Times of India, the ICC has rated the Ahmedabad pitch as “average,” with the assessment conducted by ICC match referee Andy Pycroft. The report also revealed that five out of India’s 11 World Cup matches, including those against South Africa in Kolkata, England in Lucknow, Pakistan in Ahmedabad, and Australia in Chennai, were played on pitches rated as “average.” The semifinal against New Zealand in Mumbai was played on a pitch rated as “good” by the ICC, as assessed by former India bowler Javagal Srinath.
Earlier, in a report by Dainik Jagran, India’s head coach Rahul Dravid, along with Rohit Sharma, had a review meeting with BCCI officials to assess the team’s performance in the tournament. Dravid reportedly attributed India’s loss in the final to the Ahmedabad pitch, stating that it did not exhibit the expected level of turn, which significantly impacted India’s ability to restrict Australia in the chase for 241.