India’s impressive journey in the ODI World Cup 2023 concluded on November 19. The match saw India registering their first loss in the tournament in the final against Australia at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium. The fans all around the globe were anticipating the Indian team to win. It was because of the form in which the team was in throughout the tournament. Prior to the match, there were various speculations and criticism were also made by some so-called cricket experts from Pakistan.
Adding to the list was the former Pakistan all-rounder, Abdul Razzaq, who offered a provocative analysis of the final, accusing India of exploiting a “bad pitch” to gain an advantage in the crucial match. Razzaq stated that Australia’s six-wicket victory over India at the world’s largest cricket stadium was a positive outcome for the sport. This is not the first time that any former Pakistan player has come up with such baseless arguments. Throughout the World Cup, there have been numerous instances where the Pakistan media as well as former players have accused the Indian Cricket Board and Apex Cricket Council of doctoring the pitch and ball.
“Cricket won and India lost! Had India won the World Cup, it would have been very sad moment for the game. They used conditions to their advantage and I have never seen such a bad pitch for any final before. It’s great for cricket that India lost,” the former Pakistan all-rounder said while analyzing the final.
'Cricket won and India lost! Had India won the World Cup, it would have been very sad moment for the game. They used conditions to their advantage and I have never seen such a bad pitch for any ICC final before. It's great for cricket that India lost' – Abdul Razzaq #CWC23Final pic.twitter.com/f6GWRQferT
— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) November 21, 2023
India will be playing a five-match T2OI series against Australia
After Rohit Sharma lost the toss, India were sent into bat on a dry wicket. This led to the India batters struggling for timing as they reached 240. Australia, losing three wickets in the initial PowerPlay, rebounded with a remarkable 192-run partnership between Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne, securing victory with Glenn Maxwell’s finishing touch.
Despite the loss, Rohit refrained from offering excuses, acknowledging the favourable batting conditions under lights in the second innings. The upcoming five-match T20I series between India and Australia, led by Suryakumar Yadav and Matthew Wade respectively, will see rested players from the World Cup. The first T20I is scheduled for Thursday, November 23, in Visakhapatnam.
