India is eyeing the 3-0 lead against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2023, Men in Blue need to win three test matches in four test matches to qualify for the World Test Championship (WTC) final. Matthew Hayden and Ravi Shastri are doing commentary in the third game of BGT at Indore.
Hayden was complaining about the massive turning deliveries at Holkar Cricket Stadium, and Shastri replied to him by saying ‘home conditions’.
Hayden criticised the pitch condition with a harsh comment-
“There’s some calmness in the Indian camp because they are so successful in the last two Test matches. But just look at the average turn here,”
“This is why I have a problem with these conditions, because there’s no way in the world that a spin bowler would come on the 6th over. No way!” Hayden said during his on-air stint in the third Test,” said former Australian opener.
Earlier, India opted to bat first against Steve Smith-led side at Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore.
The home side made two changes in the third game of BGT, Shubman Gill and Umesh Yadav replace KL Rahul and Mohammed Shami, while in the Baggy Greens playing XI, Mitchell Starc and Cameoon Green come in the place of Pat Cummins and Matt Renshaw. In the meantime, Men in blue were bowled out for 109 runs in the first innings.
In reply, the home side started blowing the Aussies’ innings with spinners, Ravindra Jadeja dismissed opener Travis Head in his first over for nine runs.
“Here in Indore, the average turn is 4.8 degrees. That’s a massive turn, that’s the turn you expect on Day 3. You’ve got to give batters a chance, Ravi (Shastri). Judge your players on their performance in Test match cricket. Day 1 and Day 2 should be about batting,” he further added.
Shastri is the former Indian head coach and was part of the squad when India lifted the BGT in 2018/19 & 2020/21 in Australia. He was replaced by Rahul Dravid from his post on November 2021.
The former Indian cricketer was also on-air with Hayden in the morning session at the Indore game, he gave a two-word reply to ex- Australian cricketer’s criticism by saying “Home conditions”.
In the meantime at Tea, Australia were 71/1, The visitors need to avoid the clean sweep to qualify for the WTC final in England, which is set to place in England.