The pitch in Ranchi, under intense scrutiny during the ongoing fourth Test between India and England, has sparked a heated debate among former cricketers, particularly regarding its uneven bounce. Stuart Broad, questioning India’s intent in preparing such a turning track, expressed his concerns. The visible cracks on the surface favored spinners, leading to England’s dismissal for 145 in their second innings.
Responding to the criticism, cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar defended the pitch, comparing it to Australian surfaces. Gavaskar pointed out that he has observed cracks in Australian pitches like Perth and Brisbane, emphasizing that similar conditions in India receive disproportionate scrutiny.
WATCH – Umpire Kumar Dharmasena’s Playful Facebook Story Amidst Ben Stokes’ Emotions
“I have seen cracks in the pitches of Perth and Brisbane. When the ball hits the crack in Perth, it goes very viciously past your head. But then nothing happens. You got to play that. You got to show your gumption and guts. But when it happens in India, oh my god, all hell breaks loose,” remarked Sunil Gavaskar in the commentary box.
In the midst of the pitch debate, seasoned spinner Ravichandran Ashwin claimed his 35th Test five-for, equaling Anil Kumble’s tally, while Kuldeep Yadav secured four wickets. This bowling performance restricted England to a meager 145 runs in their second innings.
In pursuit of the target, the opening duo of Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal set an ideal foundation with an 84-run partnership, putting pressure on Ben Stokes’ side. Former skipper Joe Root, however, provided a breakthrough by dismissing Jaiswal, who contributed 37 runs off 44 deliveries.
WATCH – James Anderson’s Spectacular Diving Catch Removes Yashasvi Jaiswal
Despite the setback, skipper Rohit continued his impressive run, reaching a half-century. With India in a dominant position, they aim to secure an unassailable 3-1 lead in the ongoing five-match Test series. However, the unpredictable nature of the pitch keeps England hopeful of turning the tables.
