AUS captain Pat Cummins raises doubts over 'rock-hard' Ahmedabad pitch ahead of CWC Final - Reports

Ahead of the colossal India vs Australia ICC ODI World Cup 2023 final, Aussie captain Pat Cummins has peeked at the Narendra Modi stadium pitch and given his say on how the surface could play. With both teams vying for the championship, a small misreading at this stage could prove to be fatal. However, since it is a huge pressure game, it always seems likely to bat first and put runs on the board.

3 things you need to know

• India vs Australia will take place on Sunday, November 19, 2023
• Team India made it to the final with an unbeaten record
• It is Team India's 4th ODI World Cup final

Also Read | IND vs AUS: Rivalry of Best against the Best

CWC 2023: Pat Cummins' assessment of the pitch

Visuals of both sides grinding for the grand event have emerged before the final, and it goes without saying that both teams will leave no stone unturned in attaining glory. One of the palpable ways to prepare for what's ahead is by grabbing hold of the pitch factor, and Australia skipper Pat Cummins has evidently made his stroll around the 22-yards and revealed his first thoughts of the pitch.

“I’m not a great pitch reader, but it looks pretty firm. It’s only just been watered, so we’ll give it 24 hours to have another look. But it looks like pretty good.” Cummins said at the presser on the eve of the World Cup final.

So, as per Cummins, the pitch looks good. However, reports by the Sydney Morning Herald stated that a source close to the team alleged that the pitch was rough and unrolled at both sides, and was ‘rock hard’ in the middle area. On Saturday morning while checking the wicket, Cummins talked up with the ground crew about both ends of the pitch. After expressing himself, the curators started rolling it up. 

In the past, the Narendra Modi Stadium has proved to be a batting paradise, and in the big final may see another flurry of runs.

Also Read | Virat Kohli opts out of optional practice session

India vs Australia: All to play for

The day when the cricket world will stand to a still and witness the crowning of new world champions has arrived. Team India has been formidable in the tournament, winning 10 out of 10 games. Australia, on the other hand, started slow but quickly settled into their stride after the initial slump. While both the teams have breached past the tough league stage and the semi-final test, it is all a thing of the past now and both the teams have to switch on again, to attain the glory the glory that is waiting at the next step.