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Feb 8, 2023, 17:30 IST

Indian Cricket: War of Words gets underway on social over Nagpur Pitch

By Kartikesh Jha
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India and Australia prepare for battle in a few hours in the 1st test match at the VCA stadium at Nagpur. The biggest talking point heading into the game is the nature of the pitch. Ian Healy the former Australian wicket keeper batter had already started the war of words even before the Aussies landed in India. Healy, had said that if India prepare and fair and square pitches, the Australians have a good chance. The mind games had always spoken about the fact that India may prepare a spin friendly pitch.

Indian journalist casts a view on the pitch –

The playing surface at Nagpur has created quiet a buzz before the 1st ball is bowled. Indian journalist Bharat had tweeted on Tuesday his take on the pitch where he said “Interesting treatment of the pitch in Nagpur. The groundstaff watered the entire centre of the surface & only the length areas outside the left-hander’s leg stump & then rolled only the centre, stopping short every time they got to the good length areas at both ends,"

Fox Cricket’s tweet alleges pitch tampering –

Australian media is always considered the 12th man for their national cricket team, whether they play home or away. Fox Cricket while not saying it but there were some innuendos about a certain degree of pitch doctoring which is happening. Fox Cricket wrote “What’s going on here? Pictures expose bizarre Indian ploy as Aussies concern grow over the 1st test pitch”

Leading Indian voices come out in support of home conditions –

Former Indian off spinner, Harbhajan Singh was the first off the blocks to voice his view. The 42 year old said on Twitter that the pitches make more noise rather the game itself. Harsha Bhogle who has been the voice of Indian cricket for a long time had a more mature take on this.
Bhogle wrote on Twitter “so much talk about the pitches before the game starts! For one, it is the same for both teams, and 2nd, it has to present a challenge to the touring side. That is the essence of home and away contests”

Australian side packed with good amount of left handers –

As per Bharat Sundersan’s tweet the pitch could pose a problem for the left handed batters. India just have 3 left handers in Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav. If India go in with 4 spinners all 3 could come into bat towards the latter stages. Australia on the other hand have David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Travis Head and Alex Carey who bat left handed and could be exposed to the guiles of Ravi Ashwin.

Twitter reacts –

The war of words over pitch got the attention of not only the notable names but also the fans and you can read all the tweets below. 


 


 


 


 

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