Cricket World Cup 2023: “ICC is too scared and cowardly to do anything”- Netizens blast BCCI as India and New Zealand semi-final clash shifted to USED pitch 

The match was supposed to be played on Wankhede Stadium's pitch 7, which has not been played on so far.

Cricket World Cup 2023: “ICC is too scared and cowardly to do anything”- Netizens blast BCCI as India and New Zealand semi-final clash shifted to USED pitch 

Rohit Sharma examines the used pitch (Image via ESPN)

As India and New Zealand prepared for an important semi-final clash that would be played on 15th November, Indian Express reported that the pitch was being made to help the Indian team. They reported that the Indian team had instructed the pitch curator of the Wankhede Stadium to shave off the grass to support the Indian side. 

During the toss of the semi-final, where India won and chose to bat, Kane Williamson confirmed the pitch was a used one. ESPNcricinfo reported that the pitch was supposed to be played on pitch 7, which wasn’t used and was saved for the semi-final, but was shifted to pitch 6. Pitch 6 already hosted 2 matches, South Africa vs England and India vs Sri Lanka. 

YouTube video

The ICC has no rules regarding used pitches being used for knockout matches, as the 2022 ICC T20 World Cup had used pitches as the playing surface for both semi-finals. According to the ICC the relevant ground authority, in this case the Mumbai Cricket Association, was responsible for the playing surface. An ICC spokesperson even said this move was very common and happened regularly. 

Changes to planned pitch rotations are common towards the end of an event of this length, and has already happened a couple of times. This change was made on the recommendation of the venue curator in conjunction with our host. The ICC independent pitch consultant was apprised of the change and has no reason to believe the pitch won’t play well.
ICC Spokesperson quoted by RevSportz

The Daily Mail also reported that Andy Atkinson, the independent ICC pitch consultant, was unhappy with the change of pitches. In a leaked e-mail, he wondered if the finals would be played on a surface prepared due to the request of the team management and governing body. 

Many fans call out the BCCI for cheating while Pat Cummins defends the BCCI 

As the news of the fresh pitch being switched out for a used one broke in the news, many fans had divided opinions. Many non-Indian fans were quick to brand the Indian team and the BCCI as cheaters, while Indian fans defended their Indian team. 

Pat Cummins
Pat Cummins says the Australian team has had no issues with the pitches (Image via ESPN)

Despite the news of the pitch being changed, Australian Captain Pat Cummins believes the BCCI will make fair pitches for every team. In the pre-match press conference, Cummins said that he saw the report and said the independent ICC pitch curator would ensure fair pitches would be made. He also commented that he had no problems with any of the pitches in the tournament. 

Check the tweets here:

https://twitter.com/Xh_Sahib/status/1724662474819907740?s=20
https://twitter.com/iamitpal101/status/1724666329054236860?s=20
https://twitter.com/kayptalks/status/1724659927338402055?s=20
https://twitter.com/RavindraBishtUk/status/1724662342477353071?s=20

After electing to bat first, Rohit Sharma gave yet another explosive start as he scored 47 off 29. Shubman Gill scored 79 before retiring hurt due to cramps. Currently, Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer are in the middle for India, with the Indian team having 180-1 on the board. Kohli his first knock-out half century, continuing his splendid form in the 2023 World Cup. 

In case you missed!