The Indian side could only play a little more than one session in the Indore Test and was reduced to 109 runs, while the Australian team lost four wickets for 156 runs, resulting in 14 wickets falling on the day. Is it suitable for sports?
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| Ind Vs Aus 3rd Test |
Indore Test Pitch: IND vs AUS
The ball began twisting from the start on the surface at Holkar Stadium, reigniting the argument over using less prepared pitches in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy matches against Australia in India. After awarding a 'Average' rating to the Nagpur and Delhi pitches, ICC (International Cricket Council) match referee Chris Broad is likely to give the current Test match a 'Below Average' grade.
The Indian team could only play one session and was reduced to 109 runs, whereas the Australian team had lost four wickets for 156 runs, resulting in 14 wickets falling on the day. All teams want to play in their preferred conditions at home, but how far should the home field advantage extend? Another test will be completed in three days. Is it suitable for sports? Did the curators have enough time to prepare the pitch if the match was declared to be moved from Dharamshala two weeks in advance?
Could the BCCI (Cricket Board of India) have handled a last-minute alteration better? All of these questions must be addressed.
The number of spectators in all the matches of the series has been good so far, but if the problem of the standards of the pitches of the stadium is not resolved, will these fans come to watch the match?
Former Indian captain Dilip Vengsarkar believes that playing Tests within three days in India makes a mockery of the game. 'If you want to watch good cricket, the surface makes all the difference,' Vengsarkar added. You should have unequal bounce wickets so that both batters and bowlers may get a chance. If the ball starts spinning on the first day during the first session, and with inconsistent bounce, it makes a farce of Test cricket.
'It is critical to bring spectators to the venue for Test cricket,' he added. This is evident in England and Australia, but regrettably not in India. Fans will only come to watch Test cricket if it is entertaining. Nobody wants to see the bowlers dominate the batters from the start.
'In any case, spinners should not come for bowling from the sixth over alone,' stated renowned Australian cricketer Matthew Hayden, criticizing the Indore surface. This is why I dislike pitches like this. The pitch should not be so low and turn-taking from the start. It makes little difference whether Australia or India wins this Test. Such grounds are unsuitable for Test cricket.