Former batting wall Cheteshwar Pujara reckoned India needs to seriously reconsider preparing pitches where Test matches in India are getting over on Day 3, and in turn back their spin bowlers who are skilled enough to operate even on flat pitches, and don’t need to rely on luck. “A pitch slightly better than a rank turner,” is Pujara’s prescription, as India collapsed to another home Test loss against South Africa, after losing 0-3 to New Zealand earlier this year.
He also stressed a perfect pitch ought to test temperament and technique and not luck, like on turners.
Coach Gautam Gambhir stated post the defeat the pitch was exactly what the team had desired, and expected Indian batsmen to know “how to play turn.” But Pujara stated the choice of these rank turner pitches might be a terrible idea, because a lot is left to luck.
“Luck plays a major part when you are playing on a rank turner,” Pujara warned. “What India needs to do is start playing on a slightly better pitch. I’m not saying that you don’t play on a turning track. You always did that, support for the bowlers that they are getting some assistance from the pitch. But it has to be a pitch where you should be able, if you are playing well, if you’re working hard, if you are reacting well, you should be able to score 100,” Pujara added.
The former No 3 who has put in quite a few saviour turns for India with his dogged batting, said a good pitch is one that rewards skill and hard work. “You need to play on a pitch where you have a chance. You are giving yourself the best chance. If you are skilful, your skill should come out.”
Pujara said there’s been a conscious change since the pandemic to offer the home team excessively unpredictable pitches, which South Africa pace ace described as having demons. “One ball hits keeper’s shoulder, next keeps low and you are out lbw.” Steyn said. However Pujara has noticed a discernible change since 2020, where matches are getting wrapped up on Day 3.
“When you start playing on rank turners, which India has done since 2020, a majority of the games, I would say 70 or 80% of the games have been played on a pitch where the result has been in three days, within the three days of five day match,” Pujara noted.
