Last Updated on 2 days by Charbel Coorey
Cricket News: Rohit Sharma says he doesn’t mind playing on pitches such as those in Cape Town, but has called for the outcry over Indian surfaces to stop
India captain Rohit Sharma has shared some strong words after his team’s seven-wicket win over South Africa in the shortest Test match of all-time (by balls bowled). The pitch at Newlands has come under fire as a result, with excessive seam movement and inconsistent bounce a common feature on the first day in particular where 23 wickets fell.
Rohit said surfaces such as that in Cape Town is one he doesn’t mind playing on. His attitude was replicated in a decent outing for the captain on what was a very challenging track, scoring 36 and 16* to ensure India got off to good starts in both innings. But, he bluntly pointed out the outcry when it comes to Indian pitches should stop given that helpful bowling conditions are a common theme right around the world.
Rohit Sharma shares thoughts on pitches after Newlands Test
“I don’t mind playing on pitches like this as long as everyone keeps their mouth shut in India & doesn’t complain about Indian pitches,” Rohit said. “You come here to challenge yourself and when people come to India it is challenging as well.”
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Rohit’s thoughts come after sections of the media and supporters in England and Australia were less than impressed with Indian pitches in 2021 and 2023 respectively. Michael Vaughan was quite vocal during England’s tour three years ago, before Fox Cricket led the chorus of discontent over the surfaces in last year’s Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Rohit also spoke out about how the pitch for the World Cup Final at Ahmedabad was rated below average. He believes the pitch was fine as there was century scored on it (by Travis Head).
“I still can’t believe that the World Cup final was rated below average. A batter got a hundred. How can that be a poor pitch?”, said Rohit.
Next up for India is a five-match Test series at home to England starting later this month after finishing their South Africa tour with a 1-1 series draw. In the Newlands Test, Mohammed Siraj was far too good on the opening morning, taking 6/19 as India rolled South Africa for just 55. India then collapsed remarkably from 153/4 to 153 all-out, but they still won comfortably in the end despite Aiden Markram’s superb hundred that gave the Proteas a ray of hope of achieving an incredible victory.
