Former England spinner Monty Panesar has said that if the pitch at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad for the fourth Test is similar to that of the 3rd Test, which spun from day one, the ICC should dock India points for it.
India had managed to defeat England by ten wickets within two days in the pink-ball Test. The match saw both India and England batsmen failing to shine and getting out to balls that didn't turn and skidded through from the spinners.
However, the majority of former England players have criticized India for preparing a pitch suitable for their bowlers, which they termed as unsuitable for Test cricket. India batsman Rohit Sharma clarified that he did not think the pitch had any demons. Even skipper Virat Kohli was vocal about the dreadful batting display from the two teams.
IND v ENG 2021: "Stop moaning and whining about the pitch” Kevin Pietersen slams England
“I think being the biggest stadium in the world, Narendra Modi Stadium deserves longer Test matches because people want to see how good the wicket is, you look at the stadium, beautiful views, and what an amazing stadium India has produced. It does not deserve a two-day Test match that's under 900 balls, you might just play on a park, if you are going to play this type of cricket," Panesar told ANI.
"I think if the next Test match is the same, then yes, the ICC should dock points. Everyone is delighted that cricket has now got the biggest stadium in the world now. At least the curator should have produced a good wicket, even if it's a turning wicket, everyone was complaining about Chennai, this was even worse,” Panesar opined.
"If you are going to produce a turning wicket, at least the match should go for 3-3.5 days. India will probably produce a turning pitch, at least it should last for three days. I think ICC will pass on this one because it was played with a pink ball.
Let's see how the red ball reacts, let's see if India wins again within 3-3.5 days, India's argument is going to be we can produce spinning tracks but are England batsmen skill levels up to the levels it needs to be?” he added.
Furthermore, Panesar said that India knows how heavily reliant England is on captain Joe Root.
IND v ENG 2021: Ian Chappell lauds Team India for exploiting England's ineptitude against spin
"There is a huge reliance on Joe Root, why did England win in Sri Lanka because Root scored a double century, even in the Chennai Test, he scored a double hundred. If you look at England, if Root does not score a 50 or 100, then England crumbles.
India is the dominant force in world cricket, if India is producing such pitches, so some people are saying that India is the most powerful they also have the duty to look after the integrity of the world game," the former England spinner added.
The 4th Test begins from March 4 onwards in Ahmedabad and India needs to only draw or win this Test match to qualify for the finals of the ICC World Test Championship.
(ANI inputs)
