Ian Chappell slams Indians for preparing such pitches despite beating Australia Down Under

Opting to bat first, India were bundled out for 109 just after lunch on day 1, bamboozled by Australian spinner Matthew Kunhemann (5/16), Nathan Lyon (3/35) and Todd Murphy (1/23).

In response, Australia rode on Usman Khawaja fifty to go past the Indian total, but collapsed just after lunch on day 2, taking a lead of just 88 runs. This gave India a way back into the match as the visitors were set to bat last.

The Indian batters bar Cheteshwar Pujara once again failed to get runs as Lyon (8/64) ran through their line up and bowled them out for 163, setting Australia a target of 76, which was chased down by Marnus Labuschagne (28*) and Travis Head (49*) despite losing Khawaja very early.

IND vs AUS: A no-ball, two sensational catches and several DRS errors – Why India lost 3rd Test in Indore

Although there was light debate about the pitches prepared for the series before the match, it got louder once Indian batter themselves failed to play in their home conditions.

Nagpur and Delhi matches also finished inside three days with spin playing a huge part in both the matches. The Indore Test too finished inside three days.

With over 4 degree of average turn in the first session, many former cricketers and fans alike criticised the surface at the Holkar Stadium. Former Australian captain Ian Chappell also voiced his opinion on the debate.

Chappell on pitches for Border Gavaskar Trophy 2023

Chappell slammed the Indian team management for preparing such pitches, questioning if they had forgotten about beating Australia in Australia recently.

“India need to see the error of their ways. I’ve talked before about trying to prepare pitches that suit India… have India forgotten that they won the last two series in Australia?,” Chappell said on ESPNCricinfo.

“I go back to it again, what the hell are administrators, players, coaches, anybody outside the curator (doing?). Why the hell are they having an input for the pitch? It should be left to the curator, let him produce a pitch that he thinks is a good one. Let the players play on it.”

Chappell also hopes the curator gets to do his job and prepare a competitive match for the next Test and adds “Indians need to shut up and get on with cricket”.

“I’ve no sympathy for India if they have been asking for certain surfaces. If they ask one for the next Test, you hope the curator just tells them to mind their own business. The Indians need to shut up and get on with the cricket. Really, have they forgotten how they won in Australia? With good all-round cricket,” added Chappell.

Rohit defends pitches

India captain Rohit Sharma, who said spin is their strength, indicated that another turner awaits both teams in the final Test in Ahmedabad from March 9.

“Before every series we usually decide what kind of pitches we would like to play on. It was our call to play on pitches like these. I don’t think we are putting pressure on the batters. When we win all seems well. We are not asked about our batting,” Rohit said at the post-match press conference.

India Vs Australia 3rd Test: Player of the Match, Award Winners, Post-Match Comments & Presentation Ceremony

“It is talked about when we lose. We have decided to play on pitches like these, and we know we can be challenged, but we are ready for that. Honestly the pitch talk is getting too much, every time we play in India focus is only on the pitch. We focus too much on the pitch in India. I don’t think that is necessary,” Rohit added.

Smith on Indore Pitch

Meanwhile, Australia captain Steve Smith, who acknowledged the challenge to play on such pitches, doesn’t mind the matches ending inside three days rather than playing for five days on flat surfaces without getting a result.

“All the wickets have spun, we haven’t gotten past three days yet so that shows that it’s been spinning from day one in all the Test matches, but I personally I really enjoyed playing on these kind of wickets,” Smith was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.

“I prefer this than just a genuine flat wicket that goes five days and can be boring in stages. With this one, whether it might have been a little bit too extreme, potentially from the first ball, I’m not really entirely sure.”