Former England captains call out India for tactical pitch ‘backfire’

Team India has been making bold headlines for the pitch controversy despite losing the ODI World Cup 2023 final to Australia on November 19 at the iconic Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium in Ahmedabad. However, a plethora of cricket experts and former cricketers believed that Team India failed to utilize their pitch-favouring conditions and helped Australia win their sixth title of the ODI World Cup. However, former England captain Michael Vaughan and Naseer Hussain also backfired on Team India after the loss.

Vaughan called Team India a very clever side that has applied all their strategies to the pitch. In addition, the former batting legend states that the hosts are the very clever side, as they know what Pat Cummins predicted, so they used all their tactics to win the final game. The 49-year-old cricketer also heaps praise on Australia, as they chased down the total in just 43 overs.

“Strategically they are a very clever team. They’ve got a very clever think tank. I don’t think they are a 320 side, they are a 280 side and preparing a pitch like this gave Australia a chance. They did exactly what Pat Cummins said they would, they’ve silenced the crowd. They’ve done it in great fashion. I don’t know anyone who thought the game would be done in 43 overs with Australia coasting to the target,”  Michael Vaughan said.

 India’s four bowlers not being able to bat that well came back to haunt them: Nasser Hussain

However, former England cricketer Naseer Hussain feels the hosts were still a good side, but the Men in Blue gave them a chance to get back in the game. The well-renowned cricket commentator also analyses Team India’s bowling and batting problems, which cost them the final game.

“India is still a great side – but the pitch brought Australia into it. India’s four bowlers not being able to bat that well came back to haunt them. That’s why Rahul and Kohli couldn’t go hard. They were worried about Shami at No 8,” Nasser Hussain said.