'What's the problem with spin and bounce? It is good, even spin and bounce, isn't it?'
'It is about skill for batsmen to play it and counter it.'
India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin hit back at criticism of the pitch for the ongoing third Test between India and South Africa in Nagpur, saying it needs to be taken out of the equation since both teams have to deal with the same conditions. Harish Kotian/Rediff.com reports
The pitch for the ongoing third Test between India and South Africa in Nagpur came in for a lot of criticism after batsmen struggled against spin on the second day.
Batting has proved to be very difficult on the wicket, which has given the spinners ample turn and bounce from the start of the match.
As a consequence, there's a huge backlash from around the world, with many former players expressing their disappointment on Twitter.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan tweeted: "This pitch in Nagpur is nothing short of diabolical for Test Cricket ... Telling me that was prepared to last 5 days..!!!!!!!!!!."
Matthew Hayden was equally critical.
"How disappointing it is to see the quality of Test Cricket reduced to what we are witnessing. Baffles me why our great game needs to tamper with conditions in favour for results. Amazing quality teams #letitbe," he tweeted.
Interestingly, both the competing teams – India and South Africa – have come out in support of the wicket despite their batsmen struggling for runs.
Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who took five wickets for 32 runs in South Africa's first innings, said India also faced pitches heavily loaded in favour of the home team when they travelled abroad.
He took a pot shot at criticism coming in from England and Australia, saying no one complained about the pitch during the Ashes Test in Nottingham in August this year.
England crushed Australia by an innings and 78 runs on a pitch offering a lot of assistance to the seam bowlers, the match ending 10.2 overs into the third day.
"Swing, seam and bounce… two days match over at Trent Bridge. I don't know what’s that about," he said, after the second day's play in Nagpur.
He said the wicket in Nagpur is offering even turn and bounce and batsmen with good skill and temperament will be able to counter the spinners.
"What's the problem with spin and bounce? It is good, even spin and bounce, isn't it? It is about skill for batsmen to play it and counter it," he added.
Ashwin went on to recollect India's Test against South Africa in Johannesburg in December, in which he bowled 42 overs without claiming a wicket. The hosts nearly pulled off an unbelievable run chase of 458, but fell short by eight runs, as they finished on 450 for seven on Day 5.
"I didn't complain when I played in Johannesburg; I was dropped for a year and I will not complain here either and I see no reason why I have to complain."
He said the pitch needs to be taken out of the equation since both India and South Africa have to deal with the same conditions.
“I think, to a great deal, it is our team versus the South African team. Fortunately or unfortunately, I do not have the rights over the groundsman to say what kind of pitch he needs to prepare. Once that is done and he lays the six stumps on both sides, it is my job to go out and play.”
South Africa coach Russell Domingo also sought to downplay the role of the pitch in his team's dismal showing with the bat on Day 2.
"If you're winning the series, it is easy to criticise the pitch; but when you’re behind in the series, it is difficult to criticise the pitch. If that makes sense!
"You have to give India credit. They have prepared wickets that suit their style of play, and their spinners have been really good. They have bowled outstandingly well, and we won't criticise the pitch right now," he said.
Former India spin great Bishan Singh Bedi was very critical of the pitch and asked the South Africans to lodge a complaint with the International Cricket Council.
"'Challenging wkt' my foot!Guy made similar pitches fr Railways in Delhi & the venue lost 1st class status!Official complaint 2 ICC on cards!," he said.
