Rohit Sharma Inspects Ahmedabad Pitch Ahead of World Cup Final Against Australia

Ahmedabad: Captain Rohit Sharma and coach Rahul Dravid inspected the pitch at the Narendra Modi Stadium ahead of the World Cup 2023 final against Australia. They engaged in a detailed discussion after assessing the pitch, followed by a net session. Sharma, known for his strategic approach, spent considerable time gauging the pitch’s hardness and conditions.

In an optional training session, players, including net bowlers, honed their skills while Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli opted out. India, dismissing allegations of pitch manipulation in the semi-final, posted a formidable 397 against New Zealand, showcasing their dominance in the tournament.

The Narendra Modi Stadium pitch has been pivotal in the World Cup, witnessing successful chases and performances from both spinners and pacers. The summit clash is anticipated to be another balanced contest, with a par score exceeding 260.

During a rigorous training session at the B ground, Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja focused on fine-tuning their skills, particularly against spinners. Notably, India is unlikely to make changes to their XI for the final, maintaining a winning streak of 10 matches in the World Cup – their longest unbeaten run.

Off-spinner R Ashwin, who played in Chennai against Australia, participated in net sessions along with Prasidh Krishna and Ishan Kishan. India’s consistent strategy involves six batters, four specialist bowlers, and the all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja since the injury-induced absence of Hardik Pandya.