Yesterday, ahead of the first semifinal, a controversy brewed online. A British media outlet claimed that the Indian cricket board (BCCI) altered the pitch for the semifinal to favor spinners without ICC’s permission.
Despite the anticipation for spinners to benefit, India won by 70 runs, crediting Mohammed Shami and the batsmen. Sunil Gavaskar, a prominent Indian cricket figure, dismissed the pitch controversy that emerged after the first semifinal. The scheduled pitch for the India-New Zealand semifinal at the Wankhede Stadium was initially the 7th one, where no matches in the league stage had taken place. However, it was alleged that a WhatsApp group involving over 50 ICC and BCCI officials confirmed the alteration of the pitch from the 7th to the 6th one for the semifinal match.
Although the ICC claimed this to be a routine decision, many criticized it. Gavaskar urged critics to cease discussing pitch alterations, stating it was equitable for both teams.
Before the match started, commentator Dinesh Karthik mentioned that the 6th pitch would be used, suggesting spinners would have an advantage. However, the match saw a different scenario. Despite the presence of five spinners—three from New Zealand and two from India—only one wicket was taken on that pitch. Reports claimed that if Rohit Sharma’s team advances to the final, the designated pitch for the championship match might also change.
Gavaskar advised everyone to stop discussing the pitch, emphasizing that conversations around it should cease. He highlighted how discussions about the Ahmedabad pitch had started even before the second semifinal.
India advanced to the World Cup final after defeating New Zealand, reversing the fate of the 2019 semifinal where New Zealand won against India. This time, Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer’s partnership and Shami’s 7-wicket haul led to an easy victory. After 12 years, India is on the verge of clinching another World Cup trophy on home soil, maintaining an undefeated streak.
Conversely, after playing in consecutive finals, New Zealand faced a halt in the semifinal of this World Cup.
