Ian Chappell has slammed hosts India for trying to influence the kind of pitches used for home Tests, a move that seemingly backfired after their thumping loss to Australia on a raging Indore turner.
The nine-wicket loss to Australia was just their third defeat at home since 2013. Throughout the Test, the nature of the rank turner – characterised by big turn and odd bounce on occasion – was heavily debated. Eventually, the ICC rated the surface “poor”, the Test having lasted just two days and a session.
Chappell, speaking to ESPNcricinfo, said that Indian players, coaches and administrators have no business trying to influence the preparation of pitches, and that decision should solely rest with the curator.
“India need to see the error of their ways,” Chappell said. “I’ve talked before about trying to prepare pitches that suit India… have India forgotten that they won the last two series in Australia? I mean, I go back to it again: what the hell are administrators, players, coaches, anybody outside the curator [doing?]. What the hell are they having an input into the pitch for? It should be left to the curator, let him produce a pitch that he thinks is a good one, and let the players play on it.
Speaking to the media after the loss in Indore, India skipper Rohit Sharma said that it was “everyone’s call” to play on Indore-like surfaces, and the team knew about the challenges that would come their way.
“When a series starts, we decide what kind of pitches we’ve to play on,” Rohit said. “This was everyone’s call to play on such pitches. I don’t think we are putting pressure on our own batters. When we lose, these things come out. We’ve decided we want to play on such pitches. We know that we can face challenges too, but we’re ready for that.”
Chappell said that the “Indians [players] need to shut up and get on with the cricket”, wondering if the side has “forgotten how they won in Australia”.
“I’ve no sympathy for India if they have been asking for certain surfaces,” he continued. “If they gonna ask one for the next Test [in Ahmedabad], well, you hope the curator just tells them to go and jump in the lake and mind your own business, I will prepare the pitch. The Indians need to shut up and get on with the cricket, the players. Really, have they – once again – have they forgotten how they won in Australia? With good, all-round cricket. And bear in mind, one of the big differences is there’s no Rishabh Pant in this Indian side. And I think they’re now starting to see how important he is to the Indian side”.
