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Pitch advantage not a decisive factor, says Pat Cummins ahead of India vs Australia World Cup Final

India versus Australia at Narendra Modi Stadium. But don't expect the pitch to be a game-changer.

By Jayesh | Nov 18, 2023 | 2 Min Read

Looking forward to the exciting 2023 ODI World Cup final? It’s India versus Australia at Narendra Modi Stadium. But don’t expect the pitch to be a game-changer. That’s what Australian team leader, Pat Cummins, says. The same terrain that saw India earning a win against Pakistan will be the battleground. But, things have changed since that game. Ahmedabad is now cooler, and the dew factor has increased. Don’t forget, the pitch has been watered, rolled and readied. It might be slightly moist, says the field’s keeper.

In simple terms, India has a home advantage, according to Cummins, since they play on familiar grounds. Yet, he considers Ahmedabad’s field is not much more advantageous for the toss than Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium. Cummins believes his team will meet any challenge in the final, ready and unflinching. He further stresses Australia’s successful history playing cricket in India. He affirms they’ve adapted to local conditions. They’ve planned how, he says, to use change-ups effectively and keep a balanced attack when bowling. This way, they aim to keep up the competition throughout the match.

Discussing India’s possible home field edge, Cummins acknowledged that playing on home grounds is beneficial. Yet, he mentioned that Ahmedabad’s location didn’t necessarily tip the balance towards the toss result, unlike Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium. Showing faith in his team, Cummins said they’ll adjust and plan ahead, ready for any hurdles they’ll meet in the final. In essence, Cummins lessened the value of the pitch in deciding the final match outcome for the World Cup, stressing on ability, flexibility and perfectly carried out strategies from both sides. He recognized the benefits of playing at home but also indicated his team’s preparedness to confront any hurdles and execute their game strategies with efficiency. Considering their familiarity with Indian conditions and the knack to evenly distribute their gameplay, Australia is ready to face up against India in the much-anticipated final face-off.