Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar recently weighed in on the raging debate over the Ahmedabad pitch for the third Test between India and England.
According to Akhtar, the surface used in the Day-Night Test was not an ideal advertisement for Test cricket.
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The pink-ball Test at the Narendra Modi Stadium finished inside two days with the hosts winning it by 10 wickets, dividing opinion among experts and fans on the quality of the pitch.
England were bowled out for 112 and 81, while India scored 145 in the first innings before chasing a 49-run target without any hiccup.
"Should Test matches be played on such wickets? Not at all. A pitch where there is so much unreasonable turn, that a match gets finished in two days, is not good for Test cricket," Akhtar said on his YouTube channel.
"I understand the concept of home advantage but this sort of advantage I believe is a little too much. If India had scored 400 runs and England got out for 200, then one could say that England played poorly. But here, even India was shot out for 145."
Akhtar believes if India can beat Australia on their soil, there should be no need to prepare spin-friendly wickets.
28 of the 30 wickets were taken by spinners in the Ahmedabad Test. India’s Akshar Patel and R Ashwin claimed 18 scalps between them. England skipper Joe Root, who bowls part-time off-spin, also picked up his maiden five-wicket haul in First-Class cricket.
"I thought India is a bigger, better team than this. There should be fair play and fair pitches where I think India can still beat England. They don't need to be scared. There is no need for India to prepare such wickets. Did we make the wicket in favour of India in Adelaide? Was the wicket in Melbourne made in favour of India? How did they win the series there? You play on fair ground, fair conditions and say 'Look, we can play well at home and abroad'," Shoaib remarked.
"So I think India must look at this thing. They are a much better team than this. You are a much better, far better side than this… playing on these kinds of pitches. I guarantee it. Take home advantage, on Day 3, 4, it’s understandable. But unfortunately, over here, if Joe Root is getting wickets."
Shoaib Akhtar expects a better pitch for the fourth and final Test of the series, slated to be held in Ahmedabad from March 4.
"I am expecting a fair pitch for the fourth Test. India should go out there and make sure they prepare one of the best pitches for the next Test match and I am sure that you have the capacity on any pitch. You don't need to take home advantage. Just go out there and play and I'm sure they will win the series. If India can beat Australia on their soil, they can easily win at home," he concluded.
