Star Commentator Aakash Chopra refutes Pakistani cricketers conspiracy theory about dual nature of Chennai pitch

Before the much-anticipated India-Pakistan match in the ODI World Cup 2023, former Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez criticised the event's organization. He raised concerns about the pitch at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, questioning the intentions behind the tournament's arrangement.

On Thursday, while speaking with a local media channel in Pakistan, Hafeez said, "At first, tomorrow the decision will be made whether the tournament is being organised by the Apex Cricket Council or the Indian Cricket Board. Till now, there are three venues where two matches have been played: Hyderabad, Delhi, and Dharamsala. The pitch conditions were similar, and it behaved similarly in both games. If the pitch is the same in Chennai, which was used for India vs. Australia, then it’s understandable. But if there are slight changes, you can understand who is organising the tournament."

Soon after the pitch was revealed on Friday, Hafeez posted the schedule of both games and questioned the duality of the pitch. He said, “Two different characteristic pitches at the same venue, #Chennai. Sawal tou banta hai?" In response, former India batter Aakash Chopra slammed Hafeez's conspiracy theories. He also highlighted the diverse soil compositions of cricket pitches in different Indian stadiums, which affect their behaviour.

"It is a mix of both", says Aakash Chopra.

Taking to Twitter, Chopra said, "Brother, the square at Chennai (and at many other stadia in India) has pitches made with different soil now. Red-black and mixed. As you’d know, pitches made with different soil components will play differently. Therefore, don’t be surprised if the pitches behave radically differently at the same venue throughout the World Cup."

Notably, India is the only team in the tournament playing all nine of its matches at nine different venues. Having faced Australia in Chennai and Afghanistan in Delhi, India is gearing up to confront arch-rival Pakistan at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on October 14. Meanwhile, the Indian team is optimistic about star batter Shubman Gill's return, with skipper Rohit Sharma stating that Gill is nearly fit and likely to join the playing XI.