Mohammed Kaif attributes 2023 WC final loss to Rohit-Dravid, claiming he saw the pitch change color

Former India cricketer Mohammed Kaif has made shocking allegations against India, claiming that the pitch for the ODI World Cup final against Australia was ‘doctored’. He accused skipper Rohit Sharma and head coach Rahul Dravid for the team’s six-wicket defeat. Kaif revealed details during a show on ‘The Lallantop’, stating, “India wanted to give Australia a slow track. This is the truth, even if people don’t want to believe it.”

Kaif further elaborated, “The feeling was that Australia had Pat Cummins, and Mitchell Starc, so India wanted to give a slow pitch, and that was our mistake. Many people say that curators do their own thing and we don’t influence – that is rubbish. When you are moving around the pitch – you have to say just two lines – please don’t put water, just reduce the grass. This happens. That is the truth. And it should be done. You are playing at home. And we did it a little too much.”

The Men in Blue had reached the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup with an unbeaten streak, winning 10 matches in a row. However, India faltered in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium on November 19, 2023, after being asked to bat first and only managing to score 240. Australia’s Travis Head (137) and Marnus Labuschagne (58*) successfully chased down the target with seven overs to spare, securing their sixth title.

It is worth noting that ICC’s pitch consultant Andy Atinkson had left the ODI World Cup just before the final due to reported disagreements with the BCCI regarding the pitch conditions for the summit clash. The allegations made by Kaif have raised questions about the integrity of the pitch preparation and the influence of the home team on match conditions.

The accusations by Mohammed Kaif have sparked controversy and speculation around the ODI World Cup final match against Australia, shedding light on potential behind-the-scenes manipulation of the pitch. The claims made against skipper Rohit Sharma and head coach Rahul Dravid have added a new dimension to India’s defeat in the final, prompting further scrutiny and debate within the cricketing community.