The former cricketer Irfan Pathan has lashed out at the criticism placed on the Indian pitches by overseas teams.
Irfan Pathan on Indian pitches Criticism
Irfan Pathan has urged foreign teams to level up their spin-bowling game rather than complaining about the sub-continent pitches when they tour India for the Test series.
There has been confusion and crying over the pitches due to India’s dominance at home ground. He suggested that the touring teams should avoid blaming the conditions for their underwhelming performances.
Pathan has been turned into a commentator after his retirement. His comments came after fast bowlers ran riot on Day 1 on January 03 at Cape Town during India’s South Africa tour.
Batters struggled to get used to the pitch which led to the fall of 23 wickets on the opening day itself.
“When overseas cricketers come to India on turning pitches they shouldn’t complain. It’s a skill they need to improve!” Pathan wrote on X (Twitter).
When overseas cricketers come to India on turning pitches they shouldn’t complain. It’s a skill they need to improve!
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) January 4, 2024
After winning the toss, South Africa chose to bat where Mohammed Siraj destroyed Proteas Men’s batting line-up in the first innings. They concluded their innings with 55 runs.
India also suffered a batting collapse, after getting bowled out for 153 runs after losing their last wickets for Zero runs. Virat Kohli was an impressive performer with the bat after scoring 46 runs off 59 deliveries.
India has never won a test series in South Africa where India suffered a defeat in the first test match by an innings and 32 runs. India scored 245 and 131 runs on the first and second innings at Centurion where Proteas scored an imposing 408 runs.
He also suggested that the team management identify new pacers. He said, “India needs to build a good fast-bowling unit. Look what happened in South Africa. The back-ups weren’t just ready.”
“I won’t say that they lack quality, but since they weren’t ready, you felt Shami’s absence. So that means, god forbid, if something happens to Bumrah, who we have seen has suffered from an injury owing to his bowling action, we won’t find any bowler of his quality.”
“So India needs to prepare a pool of 7-8 fast bowlers either through talent hunts or through Ranji Trophy.”
Jasprit Bumrah didn’t get support from other pacers during the first test. As Shami was left out of the squad, India failed to obtain victory in the Centurion park.
