'Pitches made with different soil component will play differently' - Akash Chopra gives fitting reply to concerns raised by Mohammad Hafeez on pitches in India

Controversies surrounding the ODI World Cup 2023 have included notable discussions about the pitches. Former Pakistan skipper Mohammad Hafeez expressed astonishment at the changes in Chennai's pitch for the 2023 World Cup matches. Hafeez highlighted differences in Chepauk's pitch for the India vs Australia and Bangladesh vs New Zealand games, emphasizing more roughs to favour spinners in the former.

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The star Pakistan all-rounder also shared screenshots and a video pointing out similarities in pitches for the first two games in Hyderabad, Delhi, and Dharamsala. Hafeez now advocates for the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad to provide a pitch similar to the one in the opening World Cup game between England and New Zealand, where the latter won by nine wickets.

“There should not be any influence, it’s an ICC tournament. It has to run as per its curators and instructions. If tomorrow's pitch’s relevance is similar and the momentum is the same, it’s understandable. But if there’s a slight change like if it’s a batting track or different conditions, this is a big question mark and that’s my statement.”

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Two different characteristic pitches at the same venue #Chennai. Sawal tou banta hai??? #CWC23 #GameOnHai pic.twitter.com/DOxTovr28T

— Mohammad Hafeez (@MHafeez22) October 13, 2023

Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has responded to Hafeez's concerns about pitch conditions. The cricketer-turned-commentator explained that pitches in Chennai and throughout India have diverse soil compositions, each influencing the game differently. Chopra emphasized that the various soil components present in these pitches contribute to the distinct playing conditions observed.

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Brother, the square at Chennai (and at many other stadia in India) have pitches made with different soil now. Red-Black and mixed. As you’d know…pitches made with different soil component will play differently. Therefore, don’t be surprised if the pitches behave radically… https://t.co/FNaM3cIghy

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) October 13, 2023

India vs Pakistan has been in great form ahead in the 2023 World Cup

India and Pakistan enter the 2023 World Cup match at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium on Saturday, October 14, in exceptional form. The Men in Blue secured a six-wicket victory against five-time world champions Australia and followed it with an easy eight-wicket win over Afghanistan. The Men in Green also displayed dominance, defeating the Netherlands by 81 runs and securing a six-wicket win against Sri Lanka.

The last encounter between India and Pakistan was in the 2023 Asia Cup Super4, where India triumphed by 228 runs, fueled by centuries from Virat Kohli and KL Rahul. In the 2019 World Cup, their most recent World Cup clash, India emerged victorious by 89 runs through the DLS method. Notably, Pakistan is trailing India 0-7 in the prestigious tournament.