The Nagpur pitch for the first Test saw some interesting methods used by curators.
There were anticipations of the pitch assisting spinners, which is generally the case during Test matches in India, but curiously, the method by which the curators treated the strip for the first Test has left former Australian cricketers crying foul and some even commented that ICC should get involved and do something.
The point of contention was curators rolling only the center of the wicket after watering it throughout. Extra watering was done outside the left-hander's leg stump.
Simon O’Donnell, a former Australia all-rounder, wanted ICC interventions to stop India from gaining an advantage.
“The ICC should step in and do something about it, if they think it’s not right. If they think the pitch is not right, there’ll be an ICC referee at the game and the ICC will be watching this game. But there are so many when it comes to India, we have all of these discussions, and nothing seems to happen. If they really think there’s a pitch here that doesn’t play to the normal standards of Test cricket and the characteristics of this ground, then the ICC needs to do something,” O’Donnell said on SEN Breakfast.
Former pacer Jason Gillespie, who was part of Australia’s 2004 Test series win in India, said India is trying to stifle Australia with spin as they feel that is perhaps their best bet to win the four-match Test series.
“I think the Indian curators are looking at a way for India to have an advantage. They potentially think spin will play a huge role and that for the best chance to beat Australia will be to play to their strength. Here in Australia, curators are under instructions to produce the best possible pitch they can prepare, that’s Australia wide,” Gillespie said on SEN WA Breakfast.
“Australia has six left-handers in their top eight, so if you start multi-preparing parts of the deck that’s straight-up pitch doctoring, it’s poor. 90 percent of me feels frustrated about it, but the other 10 per cent is it’s narrative for the series, it’s just building up beautifully, isn’t it? It’s a few old-fashioned hijinks, Test cricket needs these plots and the drama side of me enjoys it," Australian sports journalist Robert Craddock said.
The method used by Indian pitch curators is called selective watering and is not done for the first time. This ploy is often employed to create an illusion in the minds of the visiting team. The less rolling and more watering on the side generally leaves the top layer of the pitch loose, which makes the surface appear dusty in the beginning.
But then it settles down from the second day and starts to assist spinners aiming at a particular length.
(Hindustan Times inputs)