Ahead of the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, there was a lot of criticism about the preparation of the pitch in Nagpur. The Australian media and former cricketers had speculated that the wicket at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium would be a rank-turner, however, that has not been the case so far.
While the pitch has provided some assistance to the spinners, it has not been a rank-turner by any means. In the first innings, India’s star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja even took five wickets but did not turn the ball much.
Now, cricket expert and broadcaster Harsha Bhogle has compared pitches to people and has asked everyone not to judge them quickly. “As we do with people, so must we do with pitches. Get to know them before passing judgement on their character,” he tweeted
In the meantime, while discussing the impact of spin bowling in the commentary box on Day 1, former India head coach Ravi Shastri, who is commentating for broadcaster Star Sports in the series, trolled fellow commentator Matthew Hayden. The broadcaster demonstrated the degree of spinner Australians could produce in the 21st over of India’s batting in the first innings.
“Hey fellows, did you see that? Aussies are winning the day on spin,” Hayden said. “Can’t see that, Haydos. But I can see that wicket column which is still zero,” hilariously replied Shastri.
The Australians did manage to take one wicket on Day 1, with spinner Todd Murphy dismissing KL Rahul right on the stroke of stumps. With the ball in the match, it was indeed a spinner who opened the tourists’ account.
Earlier in the game, India had thrived in their bowling innings on the back of their spinners. Ravindra Jadeja picked up a five-wicket haul, while Ravichandran Ashwin took three wickets. JAdeja’s wickets included that of Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne. Australia could only manage 177 runs in the first innings.
Here is how Twitter reacted to Harsha Bhogle’s tweet
The Australian media by focusing on the pitch has created doubts in their team and allowed an excuse for failure Mind games boomerang
— Kishore Sidhwani (@SidhwaniKishore) February 10, 2023
Australian got more turn then Indian bowlers. pic.twitter.com/QlFrIaG5Xg
— Prasun Jha (@jprasun21) February 10, 2023
Never judge a pitch by it's color!
— Arnomic (@ArnologicB3ats) February 10, 2023
as the cliche goes – never judge a pitch until both the teams have batted once.
— Shubham Goel (@shubhamg23) February 10, 2023
Like people, they will also change their traits with time 🙂
— Prabhanjan Badami (@PABadami) February 10, 2023
That's a proper cricketing pitch, can't attribute Australias batting failure to pitch, India were exceptional with the ball, and now really good so far with the bat
— Cricket_Wala (@Cricketwala5) February 10, 2023
English & Aussie media has always been that way. They know the capabilities of their batters in Indian conditions, so just to divert their batters weakness against spin they tend to point fingers on the pitch. And I believe, they'll keep doing so unless we stop talking about it.
— Rahul Sharma (@CricFnatic) February 10, 2023
The track is the same for both the teams.
— Taimur Khan (@ImTaimurKhan) February 10, 2023
Well said sir
— Nitin jain(Sachinsuperfan) (@NitinSachinist) February 10, 2023
And the quality of the bowlers bowling on it as well. Ashwin and Jadeja deserve plaudits for blocking the runs and creating the wicket-taking opportunities.
— Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh) February 10, 2023
And the quality of the bowlers bowling on it as well. Ashwin and Jadeja deserve plaudits for blocking the runs and creating the wicket-taking opportunities.
— Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh) February 10, 2023
