‘We messed up’: Rohit Sharma, Rahul Dravid accused of ‘tampering’ in ODI World Cup final | Cricket News

India remained unbeaten until the final but suffered an embarrassing loss to Australia in the pinnacle showdown at the 2023 ODI World Cup. India’s defeat ended millions of people’s dream of seeing the likes of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and others. and others to lift the coveted trophy. While there were multiple factors behind the team’s loss, one of the biggest factors discussed since the disastrous result was the nature of the pitch. Many felt that the curators had gone a little too far in swaying the game in India’s favour. Now, former India batsman Mohammad Kaif has admitted that the hosts did try to change the game but unfortunately, went too far.

“I was there for three days. Three days before the final, Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid would inspect the pitch every day. They stood next to the pitch for an hour every day. I saw the pitch change. Color. No watering. “There’s no grass on the field, on the track. India wants to give Australia a slow runway. It’s true, even if people don’t want to believe it,” Kraft said on the show. larantop in an interview.

India captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and elected to bat first. Australian Pat Cummins, on the other hand, was happy to bowl the first over as he knew the pitch could get better with time.

“It feels like Australia have Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc so India want to push forward slowly and that’s our mistake. A lot of people say curators do their own thing and we don’t Apply influence – that’s rubbish. When you move around the pitch – you have to say two things – please don’t put water, just reduce the turf. It happens. It’s a fact. And it should be done. You’re playing at home .We did it a little too much,” Kaif added.

“Cummins learned something from Chennai: in a slow game, it’s difficult to hit the ball initially. In the final no one batted first, but Cummins did it. We messed up when we modified the pitch,” Kraft concluded.

Controversy over the absence of the ICC’s independent pitch consultant ahead of the final also hit the tournament. However, a BCCI representative played down the controversy at the time.

A BCCI source on condition of anonymity told PTI: “Andy’s assignment is over and he has gone back. Don’t try to find controversy where there is no controversy. It is not written anywhere that the ICC’s pitch advisor needs to be present before the final .”