Michael Vaughan, former England skipper on Sunday termed the second match’s Test pitch as a “shocker” and added that it is not a proper wicket conducive for a five-day match to happen.
Michael Vaughan’s comment came after the wicket offered much assistance to spinners on the second day of the ongoing second Test between India and England at Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium.
Michael Vaughan: Let’s Be Honest This Pitch Is Not A 5-Day Prepared Pitch And A Shocker
Indian spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Axar Patel shared 7 wickets between them including skipper Joe Root (6). Ravichandran Ashwin bagged the wickets of Dom Sibley, Dan Lawrence, Ben Stokes, Olly Stone, and Stuart Broad while Axar Patel dismissed Joe Root and Moeen Ali.
It’s entertaining cricket as things are happening all the time but let’s be honest this Pitch is a shocker .. Not making any excuses as India have been better but this isn’t a Test Match 5 day prepared Pitch … #INDvENG
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) February 14, 2021
England was bundled for 134 in reply to India’s 329. India is 54/1 at stumps leading by 249 runs on the 2nd day. After bundling out India for 329, England got off to the worst start possible as Rory Burns (0) was adjudged leg-before wicket of the delivery bowled by Ishant Sharma in the very first over of the innings.
Soon after, Ravichandran Ashwin removed Dom Sibley (16) and England was reduced to 16/2 in the eighth over. Double Centurion in first Test and man in form Skipper Joe Root (6) failed to leave a mark as he top-edged the ball delivered by Axar Patel and as a result, the left-arm spinner got his first wicket in Tests.
Ben Foakes Top Scores For England Remaining Unbeaten On 42
Ben Stokes fell for 22 while Ben Foakes scored 42 off 107 balls remained unbeaten and were the saving grace in England’s poor batting display on a pitch aiding the spinners. England was reeling at 52/5 at one stage but somewhat recovered and managed 134.
Earlier, Rishabh Pant’s (58*) unbeaten half-century guided the side to 329 in their first innings. India lost quick wickets in the first session of the second day and was only able to add 29 runs to their overnight total. On the opening day of the 2nd Test, Rohit Sharma played a knock of 161 while Ajinkya Rahane provided him support with a knock of 67 to help the hosts gain an upper hand in the match.
Michael Vaughan, the former England skipper, termed Chepauk’s pitch as a beach in a tweet earlier on 1st day as the pitch offered much turn and assistant to spinners on the very first day of the 2nd Test. In the 2nd Test, India won the toss and opted to bat. Both Shubman Gill and skipper Virat Kohli failed to score any run, but opener Rohit Sharma scored a century. For England, Moeen Ali returned with figures of 4/128.