Many cricket experts including former Indians players like VVS Laxman, Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh felt that the Motera pitch was not ideal for the Tests, as the third Test between India and England ended in two days.
However, former Indian skipper Sunil Gavaskar didn't share the same opinion and said that the pitch was more about the intent and application of the batsmen.
Team India on account of Akshar Patel’s 6-wicket-haul bowled out England for just 112 runs in their first innings, in response to which hosts collapsed from 99/3 to 145 all out to take a 33-run first-innings lead.
However, Virat Kohli led side came out all guns blazing in the second innings as they bowled out the visitors for 81 runs before sauntering to their 49-run target without losing a wicket.
The Test match lasted just around five sessions following which many cricket experts including former Indians player like VVS Laxman, Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh felt that Motera pitch was not ideal for Tests.
“It was not an ideal pitch for a Test match and even India collapsed (to 145 in their first innings,” VVS Laxman said.
“It is not an ideal pitch. India would also have been in trouble if England had scored 200 in their first innings. But it (the pitch) is the same for both sides,” Harbhajan Singh said.
“Finished in 2 days Not sure if that’s good for test cricket !If @anilkumble1074 and @harbhajan_singh bowled on these kind of wickets they would be sitting on a thousand and 800? However congratulations to @akshar2026 what a spell! congratulations @ashwinravi99 @ImIshant.” Yuvraj Singh Tweeted.
“If we are going to see these pitches ... I have an answer to how it could work ... Give the Teams 3 innings !!! #INDvENG,” Michael Vaughan said.
“To have a pitch like this for one match is fine as batsmen’s skill is put to test. But I would not like to see a pitch like this again and I think none of the other players want to see it either. Well done India,” Kevin Pietersen Tweeted.
However, former Indian skipper Sunil Gavaskar had other views and said that the pitch was more about the intent and application of the batsmen and added that both R Ashwin and Akshar Patel were superb.
“It’s more about the intent and application of the batsmen. It is a pitch where Rohit and Crawley hit half centuries. England was thinking of how to survive and not how to score runs. You have to credit Akshar Patel for the way he has used the odd ball that straightens. Ashwin and Akshar were superb.” said Sunil Gavaskar.
Out of the 30 wicktes that fell in the third Test math between India and England, 28 were taken by the spinners.
(The Hindu inputs)
