India’s deputy skipper in Test cricket, Ajinkya Rahane feels no point in taking criticism of the spin-friendly pitches in the country “seriously” as there has been no discussion regarding the “damp” tracks elsewhere and England can expect another turner in the fourth Test. The pitch conditions in the last two Test has become the talk of the town as the third Test in Ahmedabad ended in just two days. The fourth and final Test starts on March 4.
Tal king about the pitch ahead of the final Test, Ajinkya Rahane said, “I think the wicket will be similar to the second Test match in Chennai, spinning track. Yes, the pink ball made the difference and it came much quicker off the wicket compared to the red ball and we had to make adjustments. Wicket will be a lot similar to last two test matches.”
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Rahane, for the first time in many years, expressed his views when asked to respond to the criticism from former England players that the pitches have not been ideal. Some have even urged the ICC to act against India for preparing a turner.
In his cunning response, Ajinkya Rahane said, “The wickets, when we tour abroad, no one speaks about how seaming they are. They always speak about the technique of the Indian batsmen, I don’t feel we need to take seriously what people say. You see, when we tour abroad, the first-day wicket is damp. When wicket becomes grassy and behaves up and down, then the pitch becomes dangerous but we haven’t complained about it or we have never spoken about it.”
Despite the fact that the Indian registered a dominating 10-wicket win over England in the third Test, Rahane was respectful of England’s chances on another turner.
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Talking about England, Rahane said, “Pitch looks similar but I don’t know how it’s going to play. We have to wait and see. We respect the England team. They are a very good team. We played good cricket in last two Tests and England played really well in the first game. We are not taking them lightly, and both teams will go out there and look to give their best to win the Test match.”
