Former Indian opener Kris Srikkanth criticized the team’s decision to play on a rank turner after India suffered a 30-run loss against South Africa. India was bowled out for only 93 runs in the run-chase of 124 on the third day’s play as the batters could not show any resistance.
Simon Harmer was the chief destroyer in the second innings as the off-spinner returned with figures of 4-21. After the match, head coach Gautam Gambhir said they wanted to play on this kind of a wicket and admitted that the batters could not bat well as 124 was a chaseable target.
However, Srikkanth questioned Gambhir’s comments after the loss as the pitch didn’t help India’s cause.
“The point I don’t understand is, Gambhir told there are no demons and you should show better technique and all that. How can you play on this kind of a wicket? So many batters tried to defend and got out at slip or lbw. Let’s face it, this South Africa is not a strong batting line-up or a strong side. Why do you want to keep on persisting on these kind of bad wickets and then blame the technique of the players? That is not right. No matter who you are, how can you survive on this wicket? Bavuma did but that was just one player out of all,” he said on his YouTube channel.
The 1983 World Cup-winning player said India should not play Test cricket on pitches like these, as the batters could not deliver on a tricky track.
“This is a horrible record at home. We are playing with full-fledged sides. Gambhir said this is the wicket we asked for but this is not the wicket you should be playing Test cricket on. The ball is turning from the first day. We are doing this for many years and not learning from the mistakes. Everything is wrong with this wicket. Even if I bowled stump to stump on this track I would get a wicket,” he said.
Srikkanth called the Eden Gardens track ‘crappy’ after India’s loss.
“This is a crappy track. You cannot say that you need to apply yourselves on such a crappy track. If not one team is scoring more runs how can it be a good wicket? He is talking absurd things. Everybody is struggling. Both the teams were struggling. Whether he is under pressure or not, I don’t know but India is under pressure now.”
India and South Africa will take on each other in the second Test at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati, from Saturday onwards.
