The championship match will take place on the identical playing field where India emerged victorious against Pakistan during the preliminary round.


The final clash of the 2023 ODI World Cup between India and Australia is scheduled to take place on pitch No. 5 at the Narendra Modi Stadium, the same playing surface that hosted the India-Pakistan match.

Although India secured victory in that previous game within 73 overs on October 14, played under hot and dry conditions, the current scenario in Ahmedabad reflects an early winter atmosphere with cooler evenings and increased dew. Pitch no. 5 has undergone a process of watering, rolling, and additional watering, with the curator anticipating a higher level of moisture retention.

Ahead of the final, both India's captain and coach, Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid, dedicated significant time to inspecting the pitch during India's optional nets on Friday evening. Australia, on the other hand, arrived in Ahmedabad late on Friday night and conducted their sole training session for the final early on Saturday morning.

During the pre-match press conference, Australia's captain Pat Cummins faced the inaugural question about the condition of the pitch.

"Have you checked out the wicket, Pat?"

"Yeah, just took a look."

"What are your thoughts on it?"

"Admittedly, I'm not an expert pitch reader, but it seemed quite solid. They've recently watered it, so let's wait another 24 hours and reassess, but it seems like a good wicket."

"Has it been used before?"

"Yes, I believe Pakistan had a match there."

"So, how do you anticipate its play compared to Kolkata?"

"Well, it's tough to predict. It seems to have seen more high scores in the tournament so far. Overall, it's been a decent pitch, but it's hard to say."

Cummins addressed the challenges of bowling on subcontinent pitches, emphasizing the early wear and tear compared to Australia. He noted that spending considerable time in India over the past year had facilitated a better understanding and familiarity with the playing conditions.

"While playing on your home wicket has its advantages, akin to pitches you've been accustomed to, we've had extensive cricket experience here."

Cummins emphasized the need for courage in choosing delivery types, including slower balls and bouncers. He highlighted the importance of maintaining a balance between variety and not overcommitting, expressing confidence in their ability to strike that balance effectively. In India, he noted that, more often than not, cutters tend to be more effective towards the end of the innings compared to other parts of the world.

Following the controversy surrounding the pitch-switch prior to India's semi-final against New Zealand in Mumbai, Cummins was questioned about the potential home advantage for India.

"It's challenging to determine," he remarked. "It's the same for both teams. Undoubtedly, playing on your home wicket provides some advantages, much like playing on pitches you've been accustomed to throughout your career. However, we have significant experience playing cricket here.

"So, we'll observe and adapt. In my opinion, among all the venues, the toss may not hold as much significance as it does in venues like Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium. We'll be prepared for whatever challenges come our way. We'll see how it unfolds, but we'll ensure we have solid plans in place."