Indian cricket legends attempt to rewrite history after losing the World Cup with bizarre claim – as David Warner issues brutal putdown to rival’s excuses

Former India star Sanjay Manjrekar has attempted to compare the Ahmedabad pitch to sandpaper in a bizarre effort to explain why the Australia team triumpher at the World Cup.

India is in mourning after their heroes fell short in Sunday’s final against Pat Cummins’s side, despite boasting the best batter, best bowler and best form in the competition.

They were also the beneficiaries of a used pitch, the subject of much controversy during their semi-final win against New Zealand and in the build up to the big match in Ahmedabad.

But the Australians prevailed for a famous victory thanks to superb bowling from Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, as well as sumptuous 137-run knock from Travis Head.

However, India is still coming to terms with their surprise defeat and have been dubbed ‘sore losers’ by the rest of the cricket world.

Australia stunned the tournament hosts to win the competition on Sunday

Manjrekar has not helped restore his nation’s reputation after making a wild comparison to the infamous Cape Town ball tampering scandal. 

‘The pitch was tacky, a bit rough on the top and likely to turn from ball one, so Australia wasn’t really taking a huge risk by going against the cliché of putting runs on the board in the big game,’ he wrote for The Hindustan Times.

‘They knew their pacers would get some lateral movement in the afternoon, plus the sandpaper like top meant that reverse swing could come into play with Mitchell Starc as one of the best exponents of it in the world in their side; also, the slower balls were going to be a great option to go to if nothing else worked.

‘If dew comes in later, batting was bound to get easier, the ball wasn’t going to turn as much, plus the slower ball as a lifesaver for the seamer when nothing works was not going to be an option.

‘It was actually a ‘win-win’ scenario for the team bowling first. After that it was all about execution.’

He went on to write: ‘To put it simply, the 10/10 India was beaten by the conditions first’.

Mohammad Kaif also sought to undermine Australia’s achievement, telling Star Sports: ‘I can never accept that the best team has won the World Cup. The Indian team is the best team on paper.’ 

Unsurprisingly, that assessment has not been well received by cricket fans and pundits. 

David Warner hit back at claims India had the ‘best team on paper’

Former Australia star Damien Martyn posted on Twitter: ‘When you wake up and read this in the morning,’ with a quizzicaly-faced emoji. 

David Warner, who opened the batting for Australia in the final, also issued a brutal putdown to Australia’s detractors. 

‘I like MK, issue is it does not matter what’s on paper,’ he tweeted. 

‘At the end of the day you need to perform when it matters. That’s why they call it a final. That’s the day that counts and it can go either way, that’s sports. 2027 here we come.’