Rahul Dravid blames Ahmedabad pitch for India’s loss in ODI WC 2023 final – Report

ODI World Cup 2023 finalists, India were the only team unbeaten before the summit clash of the tournament. They had won 10 games including the game against Australia in round-robin who eventually won the tournament. During the summit clash, the toss was won by Australia which became a deciding factor. While the ball spun and reverse swung during the day, batting became easy during the night time.

Meanwhile, as India lost the final by six wickets, they once missed out on winning a World Event. Close to two weeks later, the Indian Cricket Board asked head coach Rahul Dravid and skipper Rohit Sharma to explain the reasons for the loss. Board Secretary, Jay Shah, vice president, Rajeev Shukla, and Treasurer, Ashish Shelar attended the meeting.

According to a report in Dainik Jagran, the board officials asked coach Dravid and Sharma about the sub-par performance on November 19. The former blamed the pitch at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The former India captain said the pitch did not turn as much as the Indian team management expected it would have.

The last two years with Team India have been memorable: Rahul Dravid

The former India skipper’s first stint as head coach was after the T20 World Cup 2021. At that point, he replaced Ravi Shastri. Meanwhile, after the team played the final of the ODI WC 2023, Dravid has been given the extension for a foreseeable future.

“The last two years with Team India have been thoroughly memorable. Together, we have witnessed the highs and lows, and throughout this journey, the support and camaraderie within the group have been phenomenal. I am genuinely proud of the culture we have set in the dressing room. It’s a culture that stands resilient, whether in moments of triumph or adversity. The skills and talent that our team possesses are phenomenal, and what we’ve stressed is following the right process and sticking to our preparations, which has had a direct impact on the overall result.

“I thank the BCCI and the Office Bearers for placing their trust in me, endorsing my vision, and providing support during this period. The demands of this role necessitate considerable time away from home, and I deeply appreciate my family’s sacrifices and support. Their instrumental role behind the scenes has been invaluable. As we embrace new challenges post the World Cup, we remain committed to the pursuit of excellence.”