Post-Mortem of India’s World Cup Final Loss: Dravid Points Finger at Ahmedabad Pitch.
Following India’s agonizing defeat to Australia in the World Cup final, a thorough review meeting took place to dissect the team’s performance. Head coach Rahul Dravid and skipper Rohit Sharma, joining remotely from London, engaged in discussions with BCCI officials, including secretary Jay Shah, vice president Rajeev Shukla, and treasurer Ashish Shelar.
Pitch Woes in Ahmedabad: Dravid Cites Turning Troubles.
Despite India’s stellar run in the tournament, securing 10 consecutive wins, they stumbled when it mattered most, succumbing to Australia by six wickets in the final. Dravid, during the meeting, attributed the loss to the Ahmedabad pitch, emphasizing that it didn’t offer the expected turn, hampering India’s ability to control Australia’s chase.
The Ahmedabad Pitch: A Double-Edged Sword
The pitch in Ahmedabad for the final was a reused one, previously employed in the league match against Pakistan. While India triumphed in that encounter, the conditions were markedly different. Dravid explained that the decision to use the pitch was based on the advice of the local curator, intending to assist spinners. However, the plan backfired as the pitch became slow, especially in the first half, negatively impacting India’s batting performance.
Australia’s Tactical Advantage: Winning the Toss and Fielding First
Australia seized the advantage by winning the toss and opting to field first, anticipating that the pitch would ease up under lights. India struggled to set a competitive total, managing only 240. In response, Australia, despite losing early wickets, secured victory with a remarkable century from Travis Head.
BCCI Queries Dravid: Decision-Making Under Scrutiny
BCCI officials questioned Dravid about the decision to opt for a used pitch, particularly given the consistent performance of the Indian seamers throughout the tournament. Dravid clarified that while the plan had been effective throughout, it faltered in the crucial final match.
Looking Ahead: South Africa Tour and Future Strategies
The meeting also addressed the selection of squads for the upcoming South Africa tour and discussed the roadmap for the future. The World Cup squad, along with the support staff, was granted a break before returning for the T20I series against Australia and the South Africa tour, marking the commencement of India’s pursuit of an ICC trophy. The tour includes three T20Is, three ODIs, and two Tests as part of the World Test Championship.
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