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With the third Test of the ongoing series between India and England getting over well-within two days, the debate regarding the pitches on offer in India especially for the second and third Test has stirred a huge debate. Many from the cricketing fraternity have expressed their concerns over the pitch with names of former players like Kevin Pietersen, Irfan Pathan and Yuvraj Singh among others included in the list. Former England skipper Michael Vaughan has also joined the debate now and shared his thought on the 22-yards.
Vaughan highlights broadcasters' concerns if Tests last 2 days
In an article published in a leading English daily, Vaughan not only said that India is allowed to get away with pitches like the one at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad but alleged the International Cricket Council (ICC) for allowing it to happen. “The longer powerful countries like India are allowed to get away with it, the more toothless ICC will look," he wrote. Vaughan further went on to suggest that although India won the Test by 10 wickets, they did so in a shallow manner and in reality there were no winners at all.
However, Vaughan stars the article in contention by praising the Virat Kohli led side's skills and admitted that they had the better skill sets for these conditions. He even highlighted how broadcasters would not be interested in Test cricket if such pitches are made. "They are left with three blank days but are still having to pay for the production. They will not be happy and may think twice about good money for Test rights," he added.
Virat, Rohit defend the pitch at Narendra Modi Stadium
Despite what Vaughan and others have had to say about the pitch, Indian players have come out and defended the track. Skipper Virat Kohli even termed it a "very good" surface. Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma, who top-scored in the match said that there were no such demons on the wicket and most of the batsmen were out to straighter deliveries. Both Virat and Rohit attributed the low-scoring nature of the match to the below par batting from both the teams.