In Indore, the pitch was subject to scrutiny as it gave a heavy advantage to spinners, with 26 out of the 31 wickets taken by them as Australia won in two and a half days. Kasprowicz told The Age that the pitch had some moisture in the early morning, though it settled down later on and behaved as usual. The same could not be said for the pitches in Nagpur and Delhi BGT tests, which caused little debate.
“I don’t believe the hype, I reckon because for all the attention around the pitches they were typical Indian wickets. I realised this last one in Indore did a few tricks early on, but because they’re starting so early (9.30 am), maybe that little bit of moisture helps grab the ball. But at other stages later in the day, it wasn’t doing anything like that.”
The Queenslander, instrumental in Australia’s momentous series win in India 19 years ago, recollects how the Bengaluru track of 1998 resembled a treacherous minefield. He proclaimed: “When I say don’t believe the hype, I know the odd ball was turning square, and it got a poor rating, but I remember turning up to the Bangalore Test in 1998, and I’ve got a picture of me standing on the wicket. It honestly looks like a dry creek bed. There’s no grass, but it’s got these cracks and spider cracks all down the whole face of it.
Kasprowicz added: “And you just go well, like that’s what we’re gonna play on. And guess what? We’ve got to adapt and adjust. That’s the game of Test cricket.”
After Australia’s impressive victory in Indore, Kasprowicz praised their tenacity and determination after the team stuttered in the first two BGT Tests. The 51-year-old commented: “It’s great to see them bounce back and come out with a convincing win.”
“Obviously, after the Delhi experience of that second inning, the Australians adapted to the conditions and did really well. And so come the second innings they were 1/76 and got through. Head and Marnus batted really well. They found a way, and that’s what Australia’s been known to do over all these years.”
