MUMBAI: The morning of the first semifinal of the 2023 ODI World Cup between India and New Zealand on Wednesday was rocked by a massive controversy over a 'pitch switch' by hosts India at the Wankhede Stadium.
All hell broke loose after British newspaper the Daily Mail reported that the Board of Control for Cricket in India and the Indian team management, under coach Rahul Dravid had got the pitch (No. 7) for the match changed at the last minute, without the permission of the International Cricket Council, in a move to aid their world-class spinners.