ICC rates World Cup 2023 final pitch as 'average'

The ICC has assessed the Ahmedabad pitch, which was used for the 2023 World Cup final between India and Australia, as "average".

The ICC updated its list of pitch and outfield ratings where surfaces for as many as eight World Cup matches across five Indian venues received an overall average rating, including five games involving hosts India.

The World Cup final on November 19 took place on the same pitch that hosted the India-Pakistan fixture five weeks earlier. This decision was made based on the recommendation of the ICC's pitch consultant, Andy Atkinson. The track received an average rating for both games. Additionally, the surface at Eden Gardens used for the second semi-final between Australia and South Africa was also rated as average. Eden Gardens received the most average ratings, totalling five.

The surface for the first semi-final between India and New Zealand at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium received a rating of "good". Despite concerns about the pitch being changed from a fresh surface to a used track before the match, the fears of it being slow did not materialise. The teams scored a total of 724 runs, including three centuries across both innings, with only one wicket falling to spin.

The ICC rates pitches and outfields for all international games using six ratings: very good, good, average, below average, poor, and unfit.

During the tournament, India's head coach Rahul Dravid disagreed with the two "average" pitch ratings given for India's league matches in Chennai (against Australia) and Ahmedabad (against Pakistan). He advocated for greater diversity in the types of surfaces considered "good" or "very good".

The ICC generally found the outfields satisfactory, except for Dharamsala, which received an "average" rating for four out of the five games it hosted. Several players criticised the outfield during the tournament. The primary issue revolved around the venue's uneven grass and sandy base, restricting players from diving freely, and posing an injury risk if attempted.

Earlier in the year, an India vs Australia Test match was relocated from Dharamsala at short notice due to the condition of the outfield.

However, the outfield for the last of Dharamsala's five World Cup games, between Australia and New Zealand on October 28, was rated as "very good".

The MCA Stadium in Pune was the only other venue to receive an "average" outfield rating, specifically for the India vs Bangladesh fixture on October 19.