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Ambati Rayudu criticises slow pitch in ODI World Cup final, blames conditions for India's loss to Australia | Cricket News


NEW DELHI: Days after India’s disappointing six-wicket loss against Australia in the ODI World Cup final at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, former ‘Men in Blue’ batter Ambati Rayudu expressed his dissatisfaction with the conditions, attributing the defeat to the slow pitch in the final.
In an interview with BeerBiceps YouTube channel, Rayudu questioned the decision to create a slow pitch for the crucial match.He suggested that a normal surface would have been more suitable, given India’s strength over the Australian team.
“Even the wicket was very, very slow and lethargic for a final. I don’t know whose idea it was. I think even a normal surface would have done because we were way stronger than the Australian side. We didn’t have to do all that in the final. It was just supposed to be a good cricketing wicket, which, unfortunately, it wasn’t,” Rayudu remarked.
The former Chennai Super Kings player highlighted that people believed they made it easier for India by preparing a slow pitch. He expressed frustration that Rohit Sharma’s side got stuck due to the sluggish conditions in Ahmedabad.
“Somehow, people think that they are helping the Indian side by preparing a wicket like that. We got stuck on a wicket that was so slow. I don’t think that should happen. It should be a good cricketing wicket. We have the skill and strength in our side to beat any side. The pitch remaining the same throughout 100 overs is an ideal scenario in a limited-overs game. The toss shouldn’t matter that much,” he added.
Rayudu further raised concerns about the intention behind creating such a pitch, stating, “I don’t know if somebody has thought about it or done it on purpose. If they had done it on purpose, it’s stupidity. But I don’t think they would have done it.”
Recapping the match, India struggled on the challenging batting surface, posting a total of 240 in their 50 overs after Australia elected to field. In the chase of 241, Travis Head’s brilliant century (137) and Marnus Labuschagne’s unbeaten 58 guided Australia to their sixth World Cup title at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium.
(With inputs from ANI)


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