Skip to main content

"All The Morons...": Gavaskar's Explosive Take On Pitch Change 'Nonsense'

The Cricket World Cup 2023 semifinal between India and New Zealand was steeped in controversy after several reports suggested that the hosts have changed the pitch at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai in order to assist their spinners. The reports said that although a new deck was prepared for the match, the match was ultimately played on a 'used surface'. After Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer and Mohammed Shami guided India to the Cricket World Cup 2023 final with a win over New Zealand, legendary India batter Sunil Gavaskar fumed over the rumours and rubbished any such suggestions.

"All the morons who were talking about the pitch change. Just stop. Stop taking potshots at Indian cricket. People have said a lot of things to attract eyeballs or whatever. It is all nonsense. The pitch was there and even if it was changed, it was there before the toss for both the teams. It was not changed in the middle of the innings. It was not changed after the toss was done. If you are a good enough team, you play on that pitch and you win. India has done that. So stop talking about pitches. Already they are talking about Ahmedabad and the second semifinal hasn't even taken place. They are talking about the pitch being changed in Ahmedabad. Nonsense," Gavaskar said on Star Sports.

Earlier, the International Cricket Council (ICC) issued a statement regarding the entire incident.

"Changes to planned pitch rotations are common towards the end of an event of this length, and have already happened a couple of times.

"This change was made on the recommendation of the venue curator in conjunction with our host," the ICC said in a statement.

The ICC also said Atkinson, its independent pitch consultant, was aware of the change.

"The ICC independent pitch consultant was apprised of the change and has no reason to believe the pitch won't play well," said the ICC.

As per the ICC's Playing Conditions for the World Cup, the host association is "responsible for the selection and preparation of the pitch" and there is no requirement that a knockout match must be played on fresh pitches.

(With PTI inputs)



source https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/all-the-morons-sunil-gavaskars-explosive-take-on-pitch-change-nonsense-in-cricket-world-cup-2023-4577618

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Gardner Shines Again As GG Register Six-Wicket Win Over UPW In WPL 2025

Skipper Ashleigh Gardner starred with both bat and ball, leading Gujarat Giants to a comprehensive six-wicket win over UP Warriorz in their Women's Premier League match in Vadodara on Sunday. Gardner (2/39) claimed two wickets and then scored a stylish 32-ball 52, her second consecutive fifty, as Gujarat registered their first win of the third edition of the tournament, following a loss in the opening game to Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Opting to bowl, Gujarat produced a clinical effort with young spinner Priya Mishra returning impressive figures of 4-0-25-3. Skipper Gardner, Deandra Dottin (2/34), and Kashvee Gautam (1/15) also played key roles in restricting UPW to 143 for nine. Chasing 144 to win, the Giants were reduced to 22 for 2 with opener Beth Mooney and Dayalan Hemalata back in the pavilion after UPW introduced spin at both ends. However, Gardner produced an inspired knock, adding 55 runs off 42 balls with Laura Wolvaardt (22) to resurrect the innings. Gardner struck t...

'Not Taught About Sambhaji': Ex-Cricketer's 'Aurangzeb' Remarks Start Debate

The Vicky Kaushal-starrer movie 'Chhaava', based on the life and times of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj - the second ruler of the Maratha Confederacy and son of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, has received positive response from audience across the country. Apart from Vicky Kaushal as Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, Rashmika Mandanna (as Yesubai Bhonsale), Akshaye Khanna (as Aurangzeb), Ashutosh Rana (as Hambirrao Mohite), Diana Penty (as Zinat-un-Nissa Begum) and Divya Dutta (as Soyarabai) play prominent roles in the movie.   Former India cricket team star Aakash Chopra also liked the movie. He, however, raised some questions after watching the film.  "Watched Chhaava today. Incredible tale of bravery, selflessness and the sense of duty.  Genuine question—why were we not taught about Chattrapati Sambhaji Maharaj at all in school? Not even a mention anywhere!!!  We did learn though how Akbar was a great and fair emperor, and even have a very prominent road called Auran...