New Delhi. Great cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has called those criticizing the pitch of the semi-final of the World Cup 2023 between India and New Zealand as idiots. He said in a flat tone that such people should not come into limelight. Criticism of the home team should be stopped. Let us tell you, before the first semi-final match, the pitch of Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai had become the center of discussion due to a report published in a British newspaper. It was alleged in the Daily Mail report that at the behest of BCCI, the pitch of Wankhede Stadium was changed at the last minute. The report claims that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) decided to go with a ‘used pitch’ for the semi-finals whereas earlier it was to be played on a ‘fresh pitch’.
According to the report, ICC pitch advisor Andy Atkinson had initially given the final approval to the unused pitch to be used for the semi-final at Wankhede but later the decision was changed to hold the match on a used surface. Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar has given a sharp reaction on this pitch change controversy. Gavaskar has slammed those who are alleging that India changed the pitch for its own benefit.
Talking to Star Sports after the Indian team’s 70-run victory in this match, he said, ‘This has been a very good pitch for batting. Around 730 runs have been scored on it. All those ‘idiots’ who were talking about the change in pitch and saying that it will benefit the Indian bowlers, hopefully their mouths will be shut now. Stop blaming India just because it helps you get noticed. Nonsense…’
He said, ‘Even if the pitch was changed, it was done for both the teams before the toss. It is not that it was done in the middle of the innings. The pitch was the same for both the teams. You are a good team, you play on that pitch and win. And India has done that. So stop talking about pitches.