Harbhajan Singh Believes That The Ahmedabad Pitch Backfired And Brought Australia In The Game

In a nail-biting final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on November 19, 2023, India suffered a heart-wrenching defeat in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. The team, which had displayed an impeccable 10-on-10 performance until the final, faltered, leaving fans across the nation in shock. The loss, a stark contrast to their near-perfect tournament, marked the culmination of a journey that saw triumph turn into heartbreak.

As the Australian batsman Travis Head dominated with a sensational 137-run innings, the hopes of a billion Indians were dashed. This wasn’t the first time Head had taken the game away from India; he had done it before in the ICC World Test Championship earlier that year. The defeat left the Indian players, including cricket stalwarts like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Mohammed Shami, in tears. The dressing room, once filled with jubilation, now echoed with silence, mirroring the sentiments of fans across the nation.

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Despite the heartbreak, it’s crucial to acknowledge India’s remarkable journey in the World Cup. The team, led by Captain Rohit Sharma, showcased a level of dominance rarely seen in cricket history. Until the final, no opposing team could stand against the might of the Indian cricketing force. The tournament was, without a doubt, India’s best-ever World Cup run, even though the elusive championship remained just out of reach.

The final showdown saw Pat Cummins winning the toss and opting to field first, a decision that proved pivotal. Rohit Sharma, consistent throughout the tournament, provided India with a fast start, scoring 47 off 31 balls. However, the slow and dry wicket posed challenges for the Indian batsmen, with Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer failing to make an impact.

The partnership between Virat Kohli and KL Rahul aimed to stabilize the innings, but the sluggish pitch prevented them from gaining momentum. The final total of 240 runs was below par, a testament to the challenging conditions. The decision to create a slow and dry pitch, presumably favoring India, backfired as Australia capitalized on the conditions during their batting innings.

The pitch, designed to favor the Indians, became a double-edged sword. Under the scorching sun, the slowness and dryness of the pitch played into Australia’s hands, allowing them to strangle the Indian batsmen. The ball refused to come onto the bat, creating an ideal environment for the Australian bowlers. The old ball even brought reverse swing into play, further complicating matters for the Indian team.

Harbhajan Singh Believes That The Ahmedabad Pitch Backfired And Brought Australia In The Game

However, as the Australians batted under the lights, heavy dew settled on the pitch, drastically altering the game dynamics. The once-challenging pitch became a batting paradise for the likes of Travis Head. The absence of grip, turn, or slowness allowed for an easier batting experience, ultimately leading to India’s downfall.

Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh, analyzing the situation, expressed his views on the pitch conditions. He highlighted the slower and drier nature of the pitch, suggesting that a pitch favoring scores above 300 would have better suited India’s powerhouse of in-form batters

“I think it was the kind of pitch which was on the slower side. It was drier than the usual pitch. You know, I would have liked to see a pitch where a lot of scores like 300 plus been scored. That sort of pitch would have helped India more than this kind of pitch where, you know, you bring your opposition in the game,” said Harbhajan on India Today.

“You know where your batters were in such great form. They looked really good throughout the tournament, and they were fantastic and very, very proud of them. The way they play their cricket. I think, a slightly better pitch would help them to perform better than what happened,” said Harbhajan.

India’s defeat in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 final was a bitter pill to swallow. Despite the heartbreak, it’s essential to appreciate the team’s extraordinary journey, marked by unparalleled dominance. The pitch dynamics, although intended to favor India, played a pivotal role in their downfall.