In Focus by The Hindu Was the Ahmedabad pitch worthy of a World Cup final?
Mar 10, 2026
Pradeep Magazine, veteran cricket journalist and author, brings decades of reporting and context. He assesses India’s dominant World Cup run and Sanju Samson’s tournament impact. He digs into the controversy over Ahmedabad’s flat pitch and whether curators should shape finals. He also compares Ahmedabad with India’s storied venues and debates spectacle versus competitive balance.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
India's T20 Team Was Unusually Formidable
- India fielded an exceptionally strong T20 side that lived up to expectations and won comfortably in the final.
- Pradeep Magazine called it possibly the strongest Indian team across formats for its dominance and assurance.
Sanju Samson Shifted India's Batting Tempo
- Sanju Samson's return changed India's approach with calm, decisive strokeplay across knockout matches.
- Pradeep highlighted Samson creating time to both attack and pace innings despite T20's frenetic tempo.
Flat Pitch Made Final Lopsided
- The Ahmedabad pitch was very batting-friendly and produced a one-sided final that disappointed some observers.
- Pradeep argued a fairer wicket would have produced a closer contest and better suited a World Cup final.