Even An Unknown Bowler Will Dismiss You On This Pitch: India Legend Slams Indore Pitch

The pitch in Indore used for the recently-concluded third Test between India and Australia has become a major talking point after the way the game transpired. The penultimate match of the four-match series ended in just two days and a session as Australia beat India by 6 wickets to register a memorable win.

The pitch offered huge turn and uneven bounce right from day 1 as batsmen from both the sides struggled to get going. India lost as many as 7 wickets in the very first session of the Test and were eventually out for just 109. Australia in reply scored 197 after losing their last 6 wickets for just 11 runs.

In the second innings too, the hosts struggled to get going with the bat and were all out for just 163 to set Australia a target of 76. Australia chased down the modest total inside 19 overs by losing just 1 wicket to book their place in the final of the ICC World Test Championship.

India legend slams Indore pitch:

Following the game, the ICC gave a ‘poor’ rating to the pitch and slapped it with 3 demerit points. The pitch has also attracted severe criticism not only from Australian cricket fraternity but also from the Indian one. Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh has come down heavily on the pitch, saying that such wickets have made it too easy for the bowlers to pick up wickets.

“As a batter, it is very difficult to survive even if you have a good defence. You might be (Sachin) Tendulkar, (Jacques) Kallis, Brian Lara or Virat Kohli, even an unknown bowler will dismiss you on this pitch if you play six balls continuously,” the India legend told Star Sports.

“Your batters were not working hard but labouring on this pitch because you didn’t know at all where the ball was going.

“I want your bowlers also to do some hard work because are they capable of winning you the match while defending 250 runs on the fourth or fifth day when there is slight help from the pitch?

“Nathan Lyon picked up eight wickets. He is an extremely skilled bowler. R Ashwin is a great bowler but I am troubled when bowlers like Joe Root come and pick up five wickets in five overs (as he did in Ahmedabad two years ago).

“Test wickets are being given to anyone. Your skill should give you the wickets and your skill should score runs,” he added.

Meanwhile, India will be looking to bounce back when they take on Australia in the fourth and final Test in Ahmedabad. A win or a draw in the upcoming game will be enough for the hosts to register a fourth straight series win over Australia.

Also Read: Watch: Virat Kohli Visits Mahakaleshwar Temple In Ujjain After Early End To Indore Test