IND vs NZ, World Cup 2023: Wankhede Stadium Pitch Change by India justified by ICC

India vs New Zealand semifinal match of the ICC World Cup 2023 was marred with controversy before the first ball was bowled as a reported last-minute pitch change by the BCCI and the Indian team management. However, ICC justified the act saying such changes are not uncommon.

As per reports, the semifinal was scheduled to be played on a fresh wicket but was moved to another pitch, on which India vs Sri Lanka and England vs South Africa match was earlier played during the group stages. It was also added that the move was made on the insistence of coach Rahul Dravid.

"Changes to planned pitch rotations are common towards the end of an event of this length, and has already happened a couple of times," the ICC told Cricbuzz on Wednesday. "This change was made on the recommendation of the venue curator in conjunction with our host. The ICC independent pitch consultant was apprised of the change and has no reason to believe the pitch won't play well."

There are no clauses in the law of the game that govern the selection of a pitch while it is expected that the stadium hosting the game will be responsible for providing the best possible pitch for the match.

As per clause 6.3 of the Playing Conditions for this World Cup, the "Ground Authority shall be responsible for the selection and preparation of the pitch." However, ICC's independent pitch consultant, Andy Atkinson, who is in touch with the curators of the venue for the match, reportedly was left frustrated by the decision to change the pitch for Sunday's final of ICC World Cup 2023.

A leaked email, reported by Daily Mail read that "it will be the first ever ICC CWC final to have a pitch which has been specifically chosen and prepared to their stipulation at the request of the team management and/or the hierarchy of the home nation board."

Veteran Indian players who competed in previous World Cups claimed that in international competitions, the hosts usually get their way. It was brought to light in 2019 that two English umpires had been assigned to monitor the semifinal match between India and New Zealand.

"It may look neutral but England were in contention for the final and in an ideal scenario the umpires could have been from a different country," said a former India coach and pointing out that some marginal decisions did go against India. "If the pitch was changed, it is still the same for both."