Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar has joined the list of former cricketers who believe the pitch(Ahmedabad) used in the third Test between India and England was not an ideal advert for Test cricket.
Akhtar stated that a Test match that gets over within 2 days and a pitch that offers an unreasonable turn is not good for the health of the longest format of the game.
Shoaib Akhtar on Ahmedabad Pitch
Akhtar also added that India have used the concept of home advantage ‘too much’ and stated that if the Virat Kohli led Indian side had scored 400 and then bowled England out for 200, then it was right to say that England batted poorly. But then, Akhtar said that even the Indian side was bowled out for just 145.
“Should Test matches be played on such wickets? Not at all. A pitch where there is so much unreasonable turn, that a match gets finished in two days, is not good for Test cricket,” Akhtar said on his YouTube channel.
“I understand the concept of home advantage but this sort of advantage I believe is a little too much. If India had scored 400 runs and England got out for 200, then one could say that England played poorly. But here, even India was shot out for 145.
“I thought India is a bigger, better team than this. There should be fair play and fair pitches where I think India can still beat England. They don’t need to be scared. There is no need for India to prepare such wickets. Did we make the wicket in favour of India in Adelaide? Was the wicket in Melbourne made in favour of India? How did they win the series there? You play on fair ground, fair conditions and say ‘Look, we can play well at home and abroad’,” Akhtar added.
“So I think India must look at this thing. They are a much better team than this. You are a much better, far better side than this playing on these kinds of pitches. I guarantee it. Take home advantage, on Day 3, 4, it’s understandable. But unfortunately, over here, if Joe Root is getting wickets.
“I am expecting a fair pitch for the fourth Test. India should go out there and make sure they prepare one of the best pitches for the next Test match and I am sure that you have the capacity on any pitch. You don’t need to take home advantage. Just go out there and play and I’m sure they will win the series. If India can beat Australia on their soil, they can easily win at home,” Akhtar concluded.
India is leading the 4-match series 2-1 after their 10 wickets win in the Ahmedabad Test. The fourth Test will be played at the same venue from March 4.
