ODI World Cup 2023 has witnessed controversies & drama unfolding before & after anticipated fixtures & the same happened ahead of the India vs New Zealand semi-final clash. The Indian team scripted history by defeating New Zealand by a huge 70 runs on the grounds of Wankhede. However, ahead of the much-awaited fixture pitch swap controversy hit social media after a leading media portal reported that BCCI & Indian team management had influenced the swap of pitch just hours before the IND vs NZ Semifinal clash.
Reports published in Daily Mail claimed that the pitch at the Wankhede was switched without prior consent from ICC. Initially, IND vs NZ semifinal 1 was planned to be played on Pitch 7 but due to some unexpected problem which was chosen not to be disclosed the fixture was shifted to Pitch 6. The reports also claimed that these last-minute pitch swap for the IND vs NZ clash was done without the consent of ICC Pitch consultant Andy Atkinson.
In fact, Daily Mail shared the leaked email from Atkinson which quoted, “As a result of these actions, one must speculate if this will be the first ever ICC CWC final to have a pitch which has been specifically chosen and prepared to their stipulation at the request of the team management and/or the hierarchy of the home nation board.”
“Or will it be selected or prepared without favoritism for either of the sides competing in the match in the usual manner, and unquestionably because it is the usual pitch for the occasion?”
Even a report by Indian Express claimed that the Indian management asked BCCI’s ground staff at Wankhede to shave all the grass on the eve of the match in order to diminish pace & aid bounce. A member of MCA confirmed that they have received a message from the team management to prepare a slow track. The staff had already confirmed that the pitch wouldn’t be a turner but a slow pitch as per the team’s request.
How does A swap of Pitch in the IND vs NZ clash aid Indians?
The reports from Daily Mail & Indian Express left fans in shock as it was said that the change in pitch was requested as India wanted to win knockouts & finals on a slow track. The switch to pitch six from Pitch seven meant the fixture was played on a surface where two matches ENG vs SA & IND vs SL been played. At the time of the toss New Zealand team’s captain termed it as a used pitch while Rohit Sharma thought that the pitch would be on the slower side. The change of Pitch appeared to offer a tactical advantage to India who have strength in slow bowling. In fact two years ago in the same stadium, India’s spinners had outclassed New Zealand for just 64 runs.
But countering all these claims the use of slower looking pitch supported batters from both sides with teams producing more than 700 runs in the first semi-final. India posted a huge total of 397 runs while the chasing team Black Caps posted 327 runs total. And to much of everyone’s surprise, Indian spinners couldn’t return with many wickets while it was the pace attack that prevailed on this pitch which was claimed to have supported the spin attack.
Can the host Nation or BCCI change the Pitch as per their choice?
No, BCCI or any host nation can’t curate a pitch as per their choice. World Cups and Champions Trophy are ICC tournaments & the governing body with a neutral perspective is responsible for the preparation of pitches. Further, ICC’s playing conditions state that the relevant ground authority is responsible for the selection & preparation of a pitch in ICC Tournaments. Along with the ground authority the prior consent & approval of ICC’s independent pitch consultant is a pre-requisite in ICC Tournaments.
ICC’s Clarification on Pitch Swap Controversy
Finally, ICC clarified their take on the Pitch swap controversy ahead of the first semi-final. The Governing Body clarified that Atkinson was told in advance that Pitch 6 would be used for the marquee clash. The body further stated that changes in pitch & rotations towards the end of the tournament are common things & have happened a couple of times.
The ICC clarified that the change was made on the recommendation of the venue curator in consideration of the host. The board also stated that the independent pitch consultant was aware of the change & had no reason to believe that the pitch wouldn’t play well.
How the Cricketers Reacted to Pitch Swap Controversy?
After the reports of the Pitch swap in the IND vs NZ clash hit the internet, the BCCI & team management were accused of cheating. Many former Pakistani & Australian Captains said that fresh pitches should be used in the knockout fixtures & not the ones that have been used in previous fixtures.
Initially, Wasin Akram, Shoaib Malik & Misbah-Ul-Haq raised concerns after reading the reports of the Pitch swap in the IND vs NZ clash. Sen Radio host, Gerard Whateley had brutally criticized BCCI for these last-minute changes.
He said, “I think it’s outrageous. This is an international tournament.
“Prepare the pitches however you like for your home series, every nation has the choice to do that if they want to. But this is an international tournament, it hasn’t quite felt that way. It’s felt like a tournament in India for India and for India to win. This is evidently going on.”
Sunil Gavaskar’s View on IND vs NZ Pitch Swap Controversy
After the conclusion of the fixture, Sunil Gavaskar took a sharp dig at the people who were criticizing the last-minute pitch swap. He said, “This has been such a good pitch to bat on. We’ve had nearly 730 runs scored here. All those morons who were talking about the pitch being changed and that it would do the Indian bowlers a favor, I hope they will just shut up. Stop taking potshots at India just because it helps you get eyeballs. Nonsense.”
Kane Williamson, New Zealand’s Captain also expressed his views on the pitch. He said that the pitch was used, but it was a good one. Williamson further said that India got plenty of runs in the first innings & conditions usually change in the second innings which has been witnessed throughout the tournament. He further applauded India for their game & congratulated the Black Caps for their marvelous journey in the tournament so far.
Our Take on the IND vs NZ Pitch Swap Controversy
The World Cup has already been described as an unusually home-centered tournament with the BCCI influencing its administration & staging. Even Pakistan’s Coach Mickey Arthur described the experience of playing against India at the Narendra Modi Stadium as playing in a BCCI event. It was not the first time that a pitch swap happened in the CWC 2023. Many league stage fixtures witnessed a swap in pitches. Except for the opening game, none of the three matches at the Narendra Modi Stadium took place on the pre-agreed pitch. In fact, Atkinson was informed by the ICC senior event manager that the IND vs PAK match was slated to be played on Pitch No 7 but it was actually played on Pitch No 5.
Both BCCI & Gujarat Cricket Association refused to take responsibility for these last-minute pitch changes. BCCI stated that it was the GCA that authorized the changes while GCA claimed that they had been acting under the instructions of BCCI. This unexpected swap of pitches has put BCCI under scanner as it gave the impression that BCCI is trying to change the game in India’s favor by making pitches that suit the host’s playing style. In fact, the biggies of World Cricket fell like a pack of cards when they faced the hosts. One major factor in India’s success is termed to be pitches that have been curated to suit India’s bowling attack.
These last-minute pitch swaps didn’t go well with ICC’s independent Pitch Consultant, Atkinson. In fact, Atkinson also issued a stringent warning email to BCCI that came into the limelight after a frequent swap of pitches was witnessed during the tournament. It’s clear that ICC’s Pitch consultant is not liking these last-minute pitch swaps initiated by the BCCI.
Preparing pitches that favor home teams is an act practiced in bilateral series but when ICC tournaments are concerned the pitch curated should be neutral as per ICC’s prior consent. Notably, the ICC is emphasizing conducting the much-awaited ODI World Cup 2023 final on pitch 5 at Narendra Modi Stadium.
Now it is to be seen whether BCCI & management will go as per ICC’s direction or a similar last-moment pitch swap will come into the picture just a few hours before the ODI World Cup 2023 final.
Does India’s Success is because of Specially Curated Pitches?
In all these controversies we can’t ignore the grit & determination with which team India has played throughout the tournament. If pitches were alone the decisive factor in a fixture then Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Pakistan who are well-versed in sub-continent conditions & playing on spin-friendly pitches would have excelled in the tournament. It’s not entirely the pitch, it’s the hard work, determination & consistency of Team India that has guided them to success in the ongoing ODI World Cup 2023.
India’s key players have performed exceptionally with the willow & their bowling attack has ensured that no opponents stick in front of them. We can say that team India’s hunger for ending their ICC Title drought has motivated them to show their ‘A game’ in the marquee event. The reality is that India has successfully defeated New Zealand in the semi-finals & is all set to face the second finalist in the ODI World Cup 2023 finals.
What’s your view on the Pitch swap controversy in the ODI World Cup 2023? Share with us your views as we would be happy to know your perspective on it.
Also read, India Beats New Zealand to Book Berth in World Cup Final
