The pitch at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad has come in for intense scrutiny ever since the third Test between India and England concluded in less than two days time. Former cricketers, commentators and pundits alike have said that the pitch, which aided spinners from the get-go, was not conducive to an even contest between bat and ball. And while Indian players have staunchly defended the surface, the criticism seems unlikely to die out any time soon. The latest to join the chorus of criticism is former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq, who said that the ICC should take some action against India for the pitch.
“No one could have thought, and neither can I remember when was the last time a Test match got over in two days. Did India play that well or was it the behaviour of the wicket? Should such wickets be part of Test matches," Inzamam said on his YouTube channel.
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“I thought India were playing some brilliant cricket. They beat Australia earlier and made a brilliant comeback in the second Test, but preparing such a wicket, I feel is not the right thing to do with cricket."
“Even scorecards in T20 matches read better than the one we saw in Ahmedabad. The ICC should take action on this. What sort of wickets are these that a Test match cannot even last two entire days?
“17 wickets falling in less than one day… what are we playing on here? Sure, you take home advantage, spinning tracks should be made, but this sort of pitch I don’t think should exist."
Inzamam further added that it is fine to have spin friendly pitches but not to the extent that a match finishes in less than two days.
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“I feel that as a former cricketer, such type of cricket should not be played. When teams come to the sub-continent that they will encounter spin-friendly encounters, but to this extent?
“I remember in the West Indies, in the fourth innings, it was such an uneven wicket. India needed some 100-125 runs to win (120) and they all got out (81), so much of noise was made even then.
“If Joe Root is picking up five wickets in six overs, you can imagine the condition of the wicket. Why should I praise R Ashwin and Axar Patel, when Root is picking up 5/8?
“Test matches have so many important elements, the venue, the ground, the umpire, referee, so a pitch should also hold some significance.
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“Test match should look like a Test match. Don’t think India would have derived the same satisfaction from this win as they did after beating Australia."
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