World Cup 2023 Final likely on same pitch from India vs Pakistan game at Ahmedabad: Report

The World Cup 2023 final between India and Australia at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad could reportedly be played on a ‘slow’ pitch. The surface as per a report could be the same that was used during the India vs Pakistan game at the same venue on 14 October in the group stage. If the report proves to be true then we could see spinners playing a bigger role in the final as compared to the pacers. World Cup 2023:  News  |  Schedule  |  Results  |  Points table As per a report in the newspaper Indian Express, the pitch will be ‘sluggish’ and the same from the India-Pakistan match. The ball could hold up on the pitch after pitching. In the 14 October match, Pakistan were bowled out for 191 inside 43 overs with Kuldeep Yadav taking two wickets. The chase was completed by India in 30.3 overs.

Interestingly, the reports before the India vs New Zealand semi-final at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai also said that the game would be played on a slow pitch and that BCCI switched the surface from a new one to a used one. But the match eventually turned out to be a high-scoring affair in which Virat Kohli scored a record 50th ODI ton and India made 397/4. New Zealand in reply made 327. World Cup Final: A look at Australia’s strengths BCCI had received a lot of flak for assigning an old pitch for the semi-final and a leaked mail from ICC pitch consultant Andy Atkinson accused the board of switching track. ICC, however, clarified later that Atkinson was informed about the change in advance and also said that there is no rule for knockouts to be only played on fresh surfaces. Now it has been revealed that Atkinson who was missing from action in Ahmedabad will join the local curators on Saturday to prepare the pitch for the final. World Cup Closing Ceremony: All the details “Andy hasn’t gone back home. He came with ICC delegation today afternoon and hence didn’t come to the ground. He will be available tomorrow to check on the preparation of the track,” an ICC source told news agency PTI. On Friday, Team India captain Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid were seen inspecting the pitch in Ahmedabad. In Mumbai, the grass was shaved off after their insistence. It will be interesting to see if any changes are made to the pitch at the Narendra Modi Stadium.