IND vs NZ | Twitter slams organizers for last minute pitch-switch ahead of semi-final
For a World Cup that has experienced unprecedented criticism, the hope was all the focus would shift to the on-field play once the tournament reaches the business end. However, another chapter unfurled on Wednesday when a fresh surface was substituted for a used one just before the first semi-final.
After ransacking their way through the round-robin phase with a perfect record, India prepared for a blockbuster semi-final at the Wankhede Stadium against New Zealand in a repeat of the penultimate clash from 2019. However, things took an unexpected turn in the highly anticipated clash even before the first ball was bowled when the organizers decided to switch things up with regard to the playing surface.
The plan initially as per reports was to employ a central pitch at the venue of the 2011 World Cup's summit clash which was yet to be used at the ongoing tournament so far. However, on the morning of the encounter, the decision was made instead to use an off-center pitch that had already hosted two World Cup games, namely South-Africa England on October 21 and India-Sri Lanka on November 2 in which the hosts had registered a mammoth 302-run victory. Consequently, the deck featured a host of bare patches expected to assist the spinners with negligible grass covering to help retain the traditional batting-friendly nature of Wankhede.
"Changes to planned pitch rotations are common towards the end of an event of this length, and has already happened a couple of times. This change was made on the recommendation of the venue curator in conjunction with our host. The ICC independent pitch consultant was apprised of the change and has no reason to believe the pitch won't play well," an ICC spokesperson explained.
Twitterati was quick to take to social media to express their frustration.
Anyone why?
So, pitch changed for the SF last minute… This is fixing. pic.twitter.com/Hnl5UUOmD3
— Ihtisham Ul Haq (@iihtishamm) November 15, 2023
There's no clarity on why it happened!
TROUBLE AT ICC! 👇
— Himanshu Pareek (@Sports_Himanshu) November 15, 2023
Andy Atkinson, the ICCs independent pitch consultant is frustrated that the pitch for India vs New Zealand semifinal was changed at the last moment.
Can confirm, a leaked email from Atkinson speculated "This is the first ever ICC CWC final to have a pitch… pic.twitter.com/rnJLze7j1Z
What?
Ellon Musk has changed like Buton for India vs Newzeland Semifinal 🇮🇳🇮🇳
— Emma (@BigBossTadka) November 15, 2023
Tap 🤍 to check it working 🇮🇳#Semifinals #INDvsNZ
Pitch Toss Wankhede #ViratKohli #BrandedFeatures
#IndiaVsNewZealand Kane Williamson Trent Shubham Gill #RohitSharma Kohli pic.twitter.com/AIHWy9jH5b
Fixing for what?
So, pitch changed for the SF last minute… This is fixing. #NZvIND #SemiFinal1 pic.twitter.com/mGR1yf666P
— Umarr (@umarr_sultan) November 15, 2023
Are you serious?
"After the change of Pitch (fresh pitch), BCCI also changed the coin by replacing it with a fresh one to help India to win the toss" ~ @FOXSportsNews#INDvsNZ
— Farrago Abdullah Parody (@abdullah_0mar) November 15, 2023
That's so true!
Remains the same for both teams so don’t cry! Unless u believe the pitch will be changed mid innings 😅😂
— Ashish 🇮🇳 (@Ashish_Mukhija8) November 15, 2023
How is it fixing when the pitch remains same for both!
So, pitch changed for the SF last minute… This is fixing. pic.twitter.com/9oxlpEtZRl
— KHaN K (@KHaNK78969784) November 15, 2023
No idea! I'm sorry!
Hold up...why was the pitch changed?
— Jan (@writer4lyf) November 15, 2023
No such comments!
Toss Fixer BCCI #BCCI#Shame#FixWC #Pitch #changed#fixerBCCI #INDvsNZ pic.twitter.com/qdZwVMnmHj
— Ahsan Raza (@AhSanRazaMiRaN3) November 15, 2023
Ufff! Chuck it! em kinda doneee!
Yes Bro! BCCI changed the pitch just like that during the light show https://t.co/PjOYXU7RVw pic.twitter.com/gW0Pp8AnRp
— Gagan🇮🇳 (@1no_aalsi_) November 7, 2023
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