The pitch has hogged the limelight once again as India and Australia fight it out in the ongoing third Test at the Holkar Stadium in Indore. The match was originally scheduled to be held in Dharamsala but the BCCI had to shift the venue at the last minute because the former was not yet ready to host the game following a renovation work.
And one can say that Indore’s pitch has sprung a huge surprise that has left the cricket world utterly shocked. In the very first session on day 1 of the game, India suffered an almighty collapse that saw them finish the session at 84 for 7.
Overall, India’s innings lasted less than 34 overs as they were bowled out for a paltry total of 109. Left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann made the most of the conditions, taking 5 for 16 while veteran Nathan Lyon picked up 3 for 35. In reply, Australia rode on Usman Khawaja’s skillful fifty to finish the day on 156 for 4.
Australian cricket fraternity slams pitch after India’s collapse:
The pitch has come under the scanner following India’s disastrous batting display. The pitch offered huge turn and uneven bounce right from the start, making many say that it looked like a day 4 or 5 pitch.
Australia legend Ian Chappell did not mince his words as he slammed the pitch, saying that the officials and the team-management should not be telling the curator about their pitch preferences.
“Should players and administrators be telling the curators how to prepare the pitch and what sort of pitch they want? It is the greatest bit of rubbish I have ever heard,” Chappell told ESPNCricinfo.
“The pitch should be left to the curator. The curator produces what he thinks is a good pitch, and then you as players get on and play on it.
“Once you have got the administrators and cricketers telling people what they think should the pitch be, then you are asking for trouble,” he added.
Veteran Australian cricket writer Robert Crash Craddock was critical of the pitch too, saying that their ploy backfired. He also said that India deserve no sympathy if they go on to lose the Test and little praise if they manage to win it.
“Doctoring a Test wicket is a delicate business,” he wrote in the Courier Mail.
“The Indore deck did not look like an accident. Much like the other two decks in the series it was green in the middle and dryer than desert sands at both ends – and cracking like a car window with a stone through it.
“If India lose the Test by overcooking the deck then they will deserve no sympathy. If they win it they deserve limited praise,” he added.
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