Shubman Gill reacts to Wankhede pitch controversy after reaching ODI World Cup final after beating New Zealand in semi-finals

Shubman Gill was ecstatic at the post-match press conference after winning a well-fought semi-final against New Zealand at the iconic Wankhede Stadium. Gill played a brisk innings of 80 not out in just 66 balls and gave India the explosive starting they were raring for. 

Shubman Gill came into the tournament as the 2nd ranked ODI batter in the world and was expected to be among the top-run scorers in the ODI World Cup 2023 but unfortunately got hit by Dengue at the start of the tournament which made him miss the initial 2 matches of the tournament but as it went into the business end of the tournament, Gill got back into form and continued it in the semi-finals.

Coming into the match a major controversy erupted just on the morning of the match when reports came in that the Indian Cricket Board managed the semi-final pitch and changed the initial pitch by a used pitch to favor the Indian spinners. 

As the news broke just on the morning of the match in foreign media, it took the cricketing world by storm and gave fuel to fire to the rumours of the World Cup being managed by the Indian Cricket Board to favour the Indian team.  

But as the match panned out the pitch showed no signs of being a rank turner and proved to be a run-fest with not much assistance to the spinners. Shubman Gill at the post-match conference was asked about the whole pitch controversy that took place to which Shubman Gill smartly and light-heartedly replied that he wasn’t aware of any such controversy regarding the pitch and in return asked the journalist about the controversy. 

Apex Cricket Council issues clarification regarding the controversy

The Apex Cricket Council issued a statement clearing all the rumours related to the Indian Cricket Board managing the semi-final pitch. They clarified, "There is no specific requirement for a new pitch in ICC playing conditions for World Cup knockout games. 

The expectation is that venues selected to host matches will provide optimal pitch and outfield conditions. In today's match at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, South Africa faces Australia, and the victorious team will advance to the final against India."