Five times when pitch created controversy in India

2. IND vs ENG 2021 Motera Test

The pink-ball Test between India and England at the Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium in Ahmedabad had created history with the visitors winning the game by a whopping 10 wickets within just two days of play. The short duration of the Test match and the humiliating defeat of the England side resulted in many veteran England players slamming the authorities for preparing a ‘poor pitch’.

The criticism of the Motera pitch has been scathing and has become a focal point of discussion among cricket enthusiasts. The pitch started turning right from the outset, and the willow wielders found it almost impossible to even put bat to ball. It won’t be wrong to say that the pitch majorly assisted the spinners as Axar Patel ended up picking 11 wickets while part-time Joe Root also took a five-wicket haul.

While the England players have blamed the pitch for their loss, the Indian skipper Virat Kohli and opening batsman Rohit Sharma defended the surface saying that having conversations around the pitch is bizarre as batters from both sides lacked concentration and intent. Kohli backed his statement by arguing that 21 out of 30 wickets came from very straight deliveries.