Ind Vs NZ: What Is The Wankhede Pitch Controversy All About?

A controversy has broken out following a report which claimed that the pitch for the World Cup 2023 semi-final between India and New Zealand was swapped from a fresh one to a used one to help the home team.

India is taking on New Zealand in the knock-out semi-final match at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

The semi-final was initially scheduled for Pitch 7. However, the match is now being held on Pitch 6. Unlike Pitch 7, which was brand new, Pitch 6 has already hosted two matches in group-stage matches, according to a report in UK-based DailyMail.

The report claimed that the Team India management asked the BCCI curators to prepare a slow pitch at the Wankhede for the semi-final due to which the grass was shaved off from the playing surface.

"It won't be a turner but the team had asked for a slow pitch. It was the main reason we shaved off the grass," Indian Express quoted an MCA source as saying.

Even Rohit Sharma said at the toss that it is a slow pitch. "This looks like a good pitch but looks like on the slower side," Rohit stated after choosing to bat first.

Usually, used pitches tend to favor spinners, providing an advantage to the Indian team, given that Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav are among its key frontline bowlers.

What The Rules Say

The World Cup's ICC Playing Conditions stipulate that the selection and subsequent preparation of a pitch fall under the jurisdiction of the relevant ground authorities. In this instance, the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) is the responsible entity. Additionally, the ICC collaborates with an independent pitch consultant, Andy Atkinson, who works alongside the local ground staff.

The report adds that Atkinson is not happy with the change in the pitches. "As a result of these actions, one must speculate if this will be the first ever ICC CWC (Cricket World Cup) final to have a pitch which has been specifically chosen and prepared to their stipulation at the request of the team management and/or the hierarchy of the home nation board," Atkinson said in an email to the ICC.

"Or will it be selected or prepared without favouritism for either of the sides competing in the match in the usual manner, and unquestionably because it is the usual pitch for the occasion?"

Reportedly, Atkinson has also expressed concerns regarding the choice of pitch for the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium, where either India or New Zealand will face off against South Africa or Australia.

What the ICC Said?

An ICc spokesperson has downplayed the incident saying that such changes are nothing extraordinary.

"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," the spokesperson stated.

Meanwhile, Australia skipper Pat Cummins has responded to the controversy saying it has "faith" in ICC and the Aussies have not faced any issue in the ongoing tournament.

"Yeah, I saw that (the report)... obviously ICC have an independent pitch curator who manages that so I'm sure they are all over making sure it's fair for both teams," he said ahead of the its semi-final clash against South Africa.

"So far this tournament that we've played on, I've not seen any issue."