The ongoing Test series between India and South Africa has been bagging headlines as the pitches that have been laid out have assisted spinners more. India, who are presently playing the fourth Test match in Delhi, have already clinched the Test series after winning the first and third Test in Mohali and Nagpur respectively.
Both the Test matches, which India won, were concluded within the first three days. Among all pitches, the Nagpur track was criticised the most where South Africa were bundled for 79 and 185 runs in the first and second innings to lose the Test match by 124 runs. India had scored 215 and 173 runs in their two innings.
The pitch in Nagpur was considered poor by the ICC as well and the BCCI will have to respond to it. BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur does not see anything wrong if a Test match fails to last for five days, but feels that the batsmen have to up their standards in turning tracks.
"What is the criterion for a good pitch and bad pitch? Was the bounce uneven, were there injuries? The ICC has sent us a letter and we will soon reply to that. But I think there is nothing wrong if a Test match finishes on the fourth day or the third day. You should also look at the batting standards. Remember how [Rahul] Dravid, [VVS] Laxman played on these kinds of tracks?," Thakur said in an interaction at the Indian Express Idea Exchange.
The home team, irrespective of where one is playing, has always witnessed a track that favours the hosts and the same thing has happened in the ongoing series as well. When India travel to Australia and other foreign countries, India have struggled in bouncy pitches of Australia and South Africa.
"In many parts of the world such as Australia and South Africa, you will see much more bounce. In England, you will see more seam and swing. So how do you compare that? In India and Pakistan, you may see more turning tracks. That is the nature of our pitches, which we call home advantage, " added Thakur.
Former cricketers such as Mathew Hayden also criticised pitches assisting the spinners but Thakur believes that the debate on the quality of the 22 yard strip is 'overhyped'.
"I think the debate on the quality of pitches is overhyped. When a match gets over in two days - maybe in some other part of the world, like Australia in three days - nobody raises that question," Thakur said.
