New Delhi, India

Former India batting coach Vikram Rathour has denied allegations of the 2023 ODI World Cup final pitch being 'doctored'. The pitch, at the Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium in Ahmedabad, came under the scanner after Rohit Sharma-led India's six-wicket loss to Australia in the finale on Nov 19, 2023. Being asked to bat first, India were bundled out for 240 before Travis Head's 120-ball 137 propelled Australia to an easy win in 43 overs.

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Given hosts India dominated the entire edition and entered the final on the back of an unbeaten run (winning 10 games in a row), many slammed captain Rohit and head coach Rahul Dravid for opting for a slow pitch for the summit clash. Now, Rathour has denied all allegations of India using a doctored pitch.

He told Sportstar, "I’ve heard this story that the pitch was different, which I don’t agree with at all. In the final, the pitch improved as the game progressed; we expected it to get slower, which it didn’t, so why did that happen? Yes, we could have scored more runs. There are so many ifs and buts, but one thing is sure: you need a little luck to win a tournament. And that day, Australia were luckier than us. They played better cricket than us. And that’s the reason they won."

Also read: Former bowling coach recalls Jasprit Bumrah's 'magical' T20 WC final spell, calls him a 'leader'

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Rathour was part of the Dravid-led coaching staff before stepping aside recently. After the ODI WC final loss, India moved on in style and won the 2024 T20 WC, held in the West Indies and the USA in June. Following Rohit-led India's win, coach Dravid and batting coach Rathour signed off from their respective positions along with bowling coach Paras Mhambrey. 

T Dilip, the fielding coach, is the only retention in India's new-look coaching staff, led by new head coach Gautam Gambhir.