ODI WC 2023 final: Former greats call preparation of pitch a ‘tactical blunder’

India paid a heavy price of the slow and sluggish wicket at Ahmedabad in the final of the recently concluded ICC ODI World Cup 2023 against Australia.

Responding to the pitch talk, former Australia World Cup winning captain Rickey Ponting called out the hosts’ ‘tactical blunder’ when it comes to preparation of the pitch for the final.

“It was very, very sub-continental conditions. A wicket preparation that has probably ended up backfiring on India to be totally fair,” said Ponting.

Moreover, former England captain Michael Vaughan feels it was the nature of the pitch that gave Australia a chance to beat the Men in Blue, who were unbeaten in the tournament until the final.

“Strategically they are a very clever team. They’ve clearly got a very clever think tank. I don’t think they are a 320 side, they are a 280 side and preparing a pitch like this gave Australia a chance,” said Vaughan.

Meanwhile, as per former England captain Nasser Hussain, it was because of India’s long tail that the likes of Virat Kohli and KL Rahul couldn’t go hard in the middle overs. Lack of all-rounders hurt India’s case.

“India are still a great side. But the pitch brought Australia into it. India’s four bowlers not being able to bat that well came back to haunt them. That’s why Rahul and Kohli couldn’t go hard,” said Hussain.