Team India entered the summit clash of the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 undefeated. However, Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium on November 19 witnessed Australia humbling the home side comfortably to clinch a record-extending sixth World Cup title.
11 days after the final that broke millions of Indian hearts, the Board of Cricket Control (BCCI) sat with head coach Rahul Dravid and captain Rohit Sharma to analyse India's performance in the tournament. Rohit, who is on a foreign trip with his family, reportedly joined the review meeting virtually.
When asked about Team India's below-par show in the final against Australia, Rahul Dravid reportedly cited the pitch at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad as the primary reason. According to Dravid, the pitch did not turn as much as the Indian team management expected it would have. This killed India's hopes to derail the Australian run chase despite Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami picking three early wickets.
BCCI Secretary Jay Shah, vice-president Rajeev Shukla, and Treasurer Ashish Shelar were all part of the meeting.
According to a Live Mint report, the BCCI panel asked the head coach about the reasons to go for a slow track when the seam bowlers were doing well for India. The pitch was reportedly watered less to aid the spinners. Dravid, who led the Indian national team in the 2007 World Cup, explained that the same strategy worked for them throughout the tournament.
Batting first, Rohit-Sharma's Men In Blue was bowled out for a below-par 240 by the Australians, who then finished the run chase with seven overs and six wickets to spare. Opener Travis Head led the Australian batting, scoring 137 runs from just 120 balls.
