Draw in Ahmedabad risks Indian qualification for World Test Championship final

India have played games with the pitches prepared all tour long, but the road in Ahmedabad might come back to bite them spectacularly.

The pitches produced by the Board of Control for Cricket in India have been massively criticised over the course of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, with the first three pitches in Nagpur, Delhi and Indore being rank turners that got progressively worse.

It’s been part of a deliberate ploy by the Indians to maximise their home advantage, with the first two pitches in Nagpur and Delhi rated ‘below average’ by the ICC and the Indore pitch rated ‘poor’ and receiving three demerit points.

Watch Australia’s Tour of India. Every Test & ODI live & ad-break free during play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

The fifth ball of the match broke through the Indore surface, and it was so difficult to bat on that even India’s acclimated batters capitulated for a paltry second-innings 163 that saw Australia chase the required 76 with ease to win by 9 wickets.

Indian curators typically have a closer relationship with the governing body than curators do in Australia, with the BCCI employing their own curatorial team to take over grounds for Test matches rather than trusting the local curators to produce pitches that will suit the hosts.

India’s pitch preparation could backfire spectacularly. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

India have been clear about their intention to produce spinning wickets this tour, and the ball has shot, spun and spat from all angles over the course of the tour.

In Indore however, the relationship between curator and team fell apart, as witnessed on day one when India coach Rahul Dravid was seen having a stern conversation with the curator after his side was skittled for 109 on day one.

Indian captain Rohit Sharma defended the approach to pitch curation after the third Test, saying there was too much focus on the pitches.

“We focus too much on the pitch here in India and I don’t feel it’s necessary,” he said.

“Former cricketers, I don’t think they played on pitches like this.

Rahul Dravid in the middle with the curator at lunch - doesn’t look best pleased. #INDvAUSpic.twitter.com/dGla1ZmLug

— Adam Collins (@collinsadam) March 1, 2023

“These are the kinds of pitches we want to play on, this is our strength.

“When you’re playing at your home, always play to your strength.

“Our strength is spin bowling and batting depth.

“Everyone uses that advantage as the home side, so what’s wrong with that?”

With India having retained the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with the win in Delhi and unable to win the series outright with the loss in Indore, the BCCI rolled out a road for the ages in Ahmedabad, all but ensuring a high-scoring draw and a series victory.

1051 runs have been scored in Ahmedabad across two innings and four days’ play, with centuries to Virat Kohli, Usman Khawaja and Cameron Green.

The pitch was so flat in Ahmedabad, Virat Kohli scored his first Test century in 1205 days. (Photo by Punit PARANJPE / AFP)

However, while it may wrap up the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, it may have massive implications for India’s chances of qualifying for the World Test Championship final in June.

A 4-0 whitewash of the Australians would have seen India qualify for the final of the second edition of the Championship, with the Australians only needing to win a single Test to qualify for the final after a strong two years that saw them rise to the top of the Test rankings.

If, as looks very likely, India fail to produce a result at the Narendra Modi Stadium, they will be reliant on other results to go their way in order to remain in the top two Test sides in the Championship.

Seventh-ranked Sri Lanka are currently touring New Zealand for a two-Test series, and an unlikely 2-0 victory for the tourists would see them qualify for the WTC final.

Sri Lanka have only ever won once from ten visits to New Zealand, with their last series victory coming in 1994/95, and their last series victory at all against the island nation coming in 2009.

The wicket in Ahmedabad hasn’t offered much for the bowlers. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Despite this, Sri Lanka have been remarkably competitive in Christchurch, with Angelo Mathews scoring a second-innings century to set the Kiwis 285 to win late on day four.

The start of play on day five has been delayed by rain at the time of writing, and with Sri Lanka needing nine wickets and New Zealand needing 257 runs to win, the Indians will be doing rain dances before play in Ahmedabad in hopes of a non-result for the Sri Lankans.

If Sri Lanka pull off the improbable in Christchurch, they will then have to win again in Wellington to progress through to the decider at the Oval against Australia, with their last win in Wellington coming in 2006.

It would be a backfire of monstrous proportions for India if their pitch antics were to end up being the reason for their inability to qualify for the biggest game in Test cricket for a second tournament running, but as long as Sri Lanka’s pace attack remain competitive, they will be slightly nervous heading into the final day’s play in Ahmedabad.