(Image source: X.com/@ICC)
[Saba Sports News] India captain Rohit Sharma shared his reading of the pitch, which will be used for the ODI World Cup 2023 final.
Speaking in the pre-match presser, Rohit opined that he expects the pitch to be on the slower side.
Notably, it is the same surface, which was used during the league stage for the India-Pakistan clash. Pakistan got bundled out for 191 runs while batting first in that encounter, however, India chased the target without breaking any sweat in the second innings.
ICC pitch consultant Andy Atkinson had recommended to play the final on this wicket. This came after he wrote an email, expressing his displeasure over the last-minute change of surface for the semi-final bout between India and New Zealand, which took place at the Wankhede Stadium.
“That wicket [against Pakistan], there was no grass on it. This wicket has some grass on it. That wicket looked a lot more tired than this one. I don’t know, I still haven’t looked today at how the wicket is, but from my understanding obviously it’s going to be slightly on the slower side. But again, tomorrow we will come and assess what it’s like,” Rohit said as quoted in the press conference.
“It’s not going to change too much but it’s always nice to see the pitch on the day of the game and then assess what you want to do. That is something that we have maintained for a long period of time and that is something that we have done before as well. So it’s not something new for us to come and assess the pitch on the day of the game, and the players are aware of it as well,” he added.
Further, he opined on the toss factor, stating that he does not expect it play a big role.
“But in terms of the conditions changing, yes the temperatures have dropped a little bit. I don’t know how much of a dew factor there will be because in the Pakistan game, when we trained before the game there was a lot of dew, but there was no dew during the game. Even a few days back at the Wankhede, when we were training there was a lot of dew, on the game day there wasn’t much. So that’s why I keep saying the toss is not going to be a factor.”
Rohit also commented on Mohammad Shami, who is the highest wicket-taker in the tournament so far, having claimed 23 scalps in six matches. The fast-bowler has bagged three fifers in the ongoing competition, however, he did not fit in India’s combination at the start.
An injury to Hardik Pandya turned out to be a blessing in disguise for Shami as he then found a place in the XI. Rohit hailed Shami for his team man quality, sharing that he was there to guide Mohammed Siraj earlier.
“It was tough for Mohammed Shami not to be part of the World Cup initially. He was there to help Mohammed Siraj, and it shows his quality. We told him why he wasn’t part of it and he worked in nets. The results are showing and say a lot about him,” Rohit asserted.
India and Australia will meet in the final of the 2023 World Cup on November 19 at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.