Following the record-breaking Cape Town Test match between India and South Africa that lasted 107 overs, Indian men’s captain Rohit Sharma took aim at the shortcomings of Indian surfaces.
The fissures at Newlands made the surface even more bounce-friendly for fast bowlers from the opening over. South Africa was bowled out for just 55 in the first innings, their lowest score in over a century, thanks to Mohammed Siraj’s rampant play.
In reply, India scored 153, however that total included six wickets at 0 runs. In the second session of Day 2, the visitors finally prevailed by seven wickets.
English and Australian pundits, who frequently criticize Indian and sub-continent pitches and refer to them as “beaches” or “sand-mines” when matches conclude in three days on spin-friendly wickets, offered little to no criticism of the pitch.
“I don’t mind playing on pitches like this as long as everyone keeps their mouth shut in India and doesn’t complain about Indian pitches. You come here to challenge yourself. And when people come to India it is challenging as well.”
Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma Added:
“I would love to see the chart match referees prepare while rating pitches. We know in India ball spins from Day 1, you are not okay. When ball seams from Day 1, you are okay. That’s not okay.”
Rohit Sharma
India’s victory at Newlands was the first by an Asian team. It enabled Rohit and associates to tie the two-match Test series 1-1.
“How can that be a poor pitch?” – Rohit Sharma on Ahmedabad WC track
The skipper also discussed the ‘average’ grade given by the International Cricket Council to the slow surface in the men’s 2023 World Cup final at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium.
“I still can’t believe that the World Cup final was rated below average. A batter (Travis Head) got a hundred. How can that be a poor pitch?”
Rohit Sharma
India lost the match by six wickets in the scenario.