The Indian team management and the authorities have been put under major scrutiny regarding the quality of the Test pitch at the Motera Stadium after the day-night Test between India and England ended in just under two days. Many former English players, including some veteran Indian stars, showed some major concerns over the pitch that seemed to favour the bowlers especially the spinners.

However, this is not the first time when the cricket pitch has created a controversy in India. There have been many instances in the past when the groundsman failed to make the pitches according to the rules laid out by the International Cricket Council (ICC) and managed to stir massive controversies.

In this article, let’s discuss five times when pitch created controversy in India:

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-491366" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Pune-Pitch-2017.jpg" alt="Pune Pitch 2017" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-491366" class="wp-caption-text">Pune Pitch 2017. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>

The first Test match of the four-match series between India and Australia at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune was marred with controversies. To please the Men in Blue, the team officials in Pune went on to prepare possibly one of the worst home pitches. Losing the toss cost Indian skipper Virat Kohli the game too as the pitch didn&#8217;t provide any assistance to the batters.

The match commenced with <strong><a href="https://www.crictracker.com/new-zealand-vs-australia-2021-second-t20i-martin-guptills-record-of-sixes-jimmy-neeshams-milestones-and-more-stats/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Australia</a></strong> racking up a score of 260 runs on the board. In reply, India were crushed out for a paltry total of 105 runs as the spinner Steve O&#8217;Keefe made the most out of the pitch that produced enough turn and bounce. This was followed by the visiting nation scoring 285 runs in the third innings while India could manage only 107 runs and lost the game by a whopping 333 runs.

The pitch of the Pune Stadium had invited criticism from all across the globe and had also received a poor rating from the International Cricket Council (ICC) because of being a rank turner.

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-491388" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Motera-Pitch.jpg" alt="Motera Pitch" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-491388" class="wp-caption-text">Motera Pitch. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>

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 &#8216;poor pitch&#8217;.

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&#8217;t be wrong to say that the pitch majorly assisted the spinners as <strong>Axar Patel</strong> 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.

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-491369" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Mumbai-2004.jpg" alt="Mumbai 2004" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-491369" class="wp-caption-text">Mumbai 2004. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>

India and Australia were up against each other in the last Test of the four-match Border Gavaskar Trophy 2004 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. After a rain-ruined first day, the Wankhede pitch offered assistance for the bowlers from the first day. Batting first, India could muster just 104 runs while Australia were also bundled out for 203 runs as Anil Kumble and Murali Kartik picked up nine wickets between them.

The third innings saw India getting back into the groove by posting 205 runs on the board but Australia saved India from a whitewash after getting all-out for 93 with Harbhajan Singh taking as many as five wickets. The comprehensive win saved India from losing three games in the series, however, Australia emerged victorious by 2-1.

The 93 all-out hadn&#8217;t gone down well with the Australian side in the last Test as they showed major concern regarding the quality of the pitch in Mumbai. Forty wickets fell in just 202 overs on a track with uneven bounce and sharp turn. &#8220;This was nowhere near a Test wicket,&#8221; Australian skipper <strong>Ricky Ponting</strong> had told reporters after the game.

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-491377" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Indore-1997-ODI.jpg" alt="Indore 1997 ODI" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-491377" class="wp-caption-text">Indore 1997 ODI. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>

The first-ever international game to be called off due to unsafe pitch was the second One Day International of the three-match series between India and Sri Lanka on December 25, 1997, at the Nehru Stadium in Indore. Going into the second game, the groundsman Narendra Menon had produced a cracked and dry pitch for the game that could assist both the pace and spin attack.

With the ball in his hand, India&#8217;s Jagval Srinath bowled the first over of the day but the pitch produced a significant bounce even at moderate owling speeds. The second over bowled by off-spinner Rajesh Chauhan witnessed variable bounce and after getting hit by the ball, the batsmen decided to complain to the umpires regarding the poor quality of the pitch.

A one-hour-long discussion between Sri Lanka captain Arjuna Ranatunga, Indian skipper <strong>Sachin Tendulkar,</strong> and the umpires resulted in the game getting abandoned due to an unsafe pitch. However, the two teams decided to play a 25-over exhibition game as compensation for the spectators. Sri Lanka posted 180/8 in the restricted 25 overs after batting first while India ended up with 178/7 in the chase falling three runs short of the target and lost the match.

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-491376" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Delhi-2009.jpg" alt="Delhi 2009" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-491376" class="wp-caption-text">Delhi 2009. (Photo Source: RAVEENDRAN/AFP via Getty Images)</figcaption>

The December 1997 incident saw a repeat telecast in 2009 as the last One Day International of the five-match series between India and <strong>Sri Lanka</strong> at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi was abandoned by the match officials saying that the pitch was of &#8220;extremely variable bounce and too dangerous for further play&#8221;

The match had commenced with MS Dhoni winning the toss and inviting the visiting side to bat first. The first ball of the game saw Zaheer Khan scalping the wicket of opening batsman Upal Tharanga. This was followed by a dropped catch on the first ball of the second over and the blows on the elbow, shoulder, fingers, and thick edges flying past the third man.

By 23.3 overs, the Sri Lankan players had enough as they walked out of the field followed by a long introspection among the officials and the players from both sides. The conclusion of all the talks was the authorities abandoning the One Day International.

<p>The Indian team management and the authorities have been put under major scrutiny regarding the quality of the Test pitch at the Motera Stadium after the day-night Test between India and England ended in just under two days. Many former English players, including some veteran Indian stars, showed some major concerns over the pitch that seemed to favour the bowlers especially the spinners.</p>
<p>However, this is not the first time when the cricket pitch has created a controversy in India. There have been many instances in the past when the groundsman failed to make the pitches according to the rules laid out by the International Cricket Council (ICC) and managed to stir massive controversies.</p>
<h3>In this article, let’s discuss five times when pitch created controversy in India:</h3>
<h3>1. IND vs AUS 2017 Pune Test</h3>
<figure id="attachment_491366" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-491366" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-491366" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Pune-Pitch-2017.jpg" alt="Pune Pitch 2017" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img><figcaption id="caption-attachment-491366" class="wp-caption-text">Pune Pitch 2017. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption></figure>
<p>The first Test match of the four-match series between India and Australia at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune was marred with controversies. To please the Men in Blue, the team officials in Pune went on to prepare possibly one of the worst home pitches. Losing the toss cost Indian skipper Virat Kohli the game too as the pitch didn&#8217;t provide any assistance to the batters.</p>
<p>The match commenced with <strong><a href="https://www.crictracker.com/new-zealand-vs-australia-2021-second-t20i-martin-guptills-record-of-sixes-jimmy-neeshams-milestones-and-more-stats/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Australia</a></strong> racking up a score of 260 runs on the board. In reply, India were crushed out for a paltry total of 105 runs as the spinner Steve O&#8217;Keefe made the most out of the pitch that produced enough turn and bounce. This was followed by the visiting nation scoring 285 runs in the third innings while India could manage only 107 runs and lost the game by a whopping 333 runs.</p>
<p>The pitch of the Pune Stadium had invited criticism from all across the globe and had also received a poor rating from the International Cricket Council (ICC) because of being a rank turner.</p>
<p></p>
<h3>2. IND vs ENG 2021 Motera Test</h3>
<figure id="attachment_491388" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-491388" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-491388" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Motera-Pitch.jpg" alt="Motera Pitch" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img><figcaption id="caption-attachment-491388" class="wp-caption-text">Motera Pitch. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption></figure>
<p>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 &#8216;poor pitch&#8217;.</p>
<p>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&#8217;t be wrong to say that the pitch majorly assisted the spinners as <strong>Axar Patel</strong> ended up picking 11 wickets while part-time Joe Root also took a five-wicket haul.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p></p>
<h3>3. IND vs AUS 2004 Mumbai Test</h3>
<figure id="attachment_491369" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-491369" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-491369" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Mumbai-2004.jpg" alt="Mumbai 2004" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img><figcaption id="caption-attachment-491369" class="wp-caption-text">Mumbai 2004. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption></figure>
<p>India and Australia were up against each other in the last Test of the four-match Border Gavaskar Trophy 2004 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. After a rain-ruined first day, the Wankhede pitch offered assistance for the bowlers from the first day. Batting first, India could muster just 104 runs while Australia were also bundled out for 203 runs as Anil Kumble and Murali Kartik picked up nine wickets between them.</p>
<p>The third innings saw India getting back into the groove by posting 205 runs on the board but Australia saved India from a whitewash after getting all-out for 93 with Harbhajan Singh taking as many as five wickets. The comprehensive win saved India from losing three games in the series, however, Australia emerged victorious by 2-1.</p>
<p>The 93 all-out hadn&#8217;t gone down well with the Australian side in the last Test as they showed major concern regarding the quality of the pitch in Mumbai. Forty wickets fell in just 202 overs on a track with uneven bounce and sharp turn. &#8220;This was nowhere near a Test wicket,&#8221; Australian skipper <strong>Ricky Ponting</strong> had told reporters after the game.</p>
<p></p>
<h3>4. IND vs SL 1997 Indore ODI</h3>
<figure id="attachment_491377" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-491377" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-491377" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Indore-1997-ODI.jpg" alt="Indore 1997 ODI" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img><figcaption id="caption-attachment-491377" class="wp-caption-text">Indore 1997 ODI. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption></figure>
<p>The first-ever international game to be called off due to unsafe pitch was the second One Day International of the three-match series between India and Sri Lanka on December 25, 1997, at the Nehru Stadium in Indore. Going into the second game, the groundsman Narendra Menon had produced a cracked and dry pitch for the game that could assist both the pace and spin attack.</p>
<p>With the ball in his hand, India&#8217;s Jagval Srinath bowled the first over of the day but the pitch produced a significant bounce even at moderate owling speeds. The second over bowled by off-spinner Rajesh Chauhan witnessed variable bounce and after getting hit by the ball, the batsmen decided to complain to the umpires regarding the poor quality of the pitch.</p>
<p>A one-hour-long discussion between Sri Lanka captain Arjuna Ranatunga, Indian skipper <strong>Sachin Tendulkar,</strong> and the umpires resulted in the game getting abandoned due to an unsafe pitch. However, the two teams decided to play a 25-over exhibition game as compensation for the spectators. Sri Lanka posted 180/8 in the restricted 25 overs after batting first while India ended up with 178/7 in the chase falling three runs short of the target and lost the match.</p>
<p></p>
<h3>5. IND vs SL 2009 Kotla ODI</h3>
<figure id="attachment_491376" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-491376" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-491376" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Delhi-2009.jpg" alt="Delhi 2009" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img><figcaption id="caption-attachment-491376" class="wp-caption-text">Delhi 2009. (Photo Source: RAVEENDRAN/AFP via Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
<p>The December 1997 incident saw a repeat telecast in 2009 as the last One Day International of the five-match series between India and <strong>Sri Lanka</strong> at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi was abandoned by the match officials saying that the pitch was of &#8220;extremely variable bounce and too dangerous for further play&#8221;</p>
<p>The match had commenced with MS Dhoni winning the toss and inviting the visiting side to bat first. The first ball of the game saw Zaheer Khan scalping the wicket of opening batsman Upal Tharanga. This was followed by a dropped catch on the first ball of the second over and the blows on the elbow, shoulder, fingers, and thick edges flying past the third man.</p>
<p>By 23.3 overs, the Sri Lankan players had enough as they walked out of the field followed by a long introspection among the officials and the players from both sides. The conclusion of all the talks was the authorities abandoning the One Day International.</p>

<p>The Indian team management and the authorities have been put under major scrutiny regarding the quality of the Test pitch at the Motera Stadium after the day-night Test between India and England ended in just under two days. Many former English players, including some veteran Indian stars, showed some major concerns over the pitch that seemed to favour the bowlers especially the spinners.</p>
<p>However, this is not the first time when the cricket pitch has created a controversy in India. There have been many instances in the past when the groundsman failed to make the pitches according to the rules laid out by the International Cricket Council (ICC) and managed to stir massive controversies.</p>
<h3>In this article, let’s discuss five times when pitch created controversy in India:</h3>
<h3>1. IND vs AUS 2017 Pune Test</h3>
<figure id="attachment_491366" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-491366" style="width: 640px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-491366" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Pune-Pitch-2017.jpg" alt="Pune Pitch 2017" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-491366" class="wp-caption-text">Pune Pitch 2017. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption></figure>
<p>The first Test match of the four-match series between India and Australia at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune was marred with controversies. To please the Men in Blue, the team officials in Pune went on to prepare possibly one of the worst home pitches. Losing the toss cost Indian skipper Virat Kohli the game too as the pitch didn&#8217;t provide any assistance to the batters.</p>
<p>The match commenced with <strong><a href="https://www.crictracker.com/new-zealand-vs-australia-2021-second-t20i-martin-guptills-record-of-sixes-jimmy-neeshams-milestones-and-more-stats/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Australia</a></strong> racking up a score of 260 runs on the board. In reply, India were crushed out for a paltry total of 105 runs as the spinner Steve O&#8217;Keefe made the most out of the pitch that produced enough turn and bounce. This was followed by the visiting nation scoring 285 runs in the third innings while India could manage only 107 runs and lost the game by a whopping 333 runs.</p>
<p>The pitch of the Pune Stadium had invited criticism from all across the globe and had also received a poor rating from the International Cricket Council (ICC) because of being a rank turner.</p>
<p></p>
<h3>2. IND vs ENG 2021 Motera Test</h3>
<figure id="attachment_491388" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-491388" style="width: 640px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-491388" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Motera-Pitch.jpg" alt="Motera Pitch" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-491388" class="wp-caption-text">Motera Pitch. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption></figure>
<p>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 &#8216;poor pitch&#8217;.</p>
<p>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&#8217;t be wrong to say that the pitch majorly assisted the spinners as <strong>Axar Patel</strong> ended up picking 11 wickets while part-time Joe Root also took a five-wicket haul.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p></p>
<h3>3. IND vs AUS 2004 Mumbai Test</h3>
<figure id="attachment_491369" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-491369" style="width: 640px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-491369" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Mumbai-2004.jpg" alt="Mumbai 2004" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-491369" class="wp-caption-text">Mumbai 2004. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption></figure>
<p>India and Australia were up against each other in the last Test of the four-match Border Gavaskar Trophy 2004 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. After a rain-ruined first day, the Wankhede pitch offered assistance for the bowlers from the first day. Batting first, India could muster just 104 runs while Australia were also bundled out for 203 runs as Anil Kumble and Murali Kartik picked up nine wickets between them.</p>
<p>The third innings saw India getting back into the groove by posting 205 runs on the board but Australia saved India from a whitewash after getting all-out for 93 with Harbhajan Singh taking as many as five wickets. The comprehensive win saved India from losing three games in the series, however, Australia emerged victorious by 2-1.</p>
<p>The 93 all-out hadn&#8217;t gone down well with the Australian side in the last Test as they showed major concern regarding the quality of the pitch in Mumbai. Forty wickets fell in just 202 overs on a track with uneven bounce and sharp turn. &#8220;This was nowhere near a Test wicket,&#8221; Australian skipper <strong>Ricky Ponting</strong> had told reporters after the game.</p>
<p></p>
<h3>4. IND vs SL 1997 Indore ODI</h3>
<figure id="attachment_491377" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-491377" style="width: 640px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-491377" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Indore-1997-ODI.jpg" alt="Indore 1997 ODI" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-491377" class="wp-caption-text">Indore 1997 ODI. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption></figure>
<p>The first-ever international game to be called off due to unsafe pitch was the second One Day International of the three-match series between India and Sri Lanka on December 25, 1997, at the Nehru Stadium in Indore. Going into the second game, the groundsman Narendra Menon had produced a cracked and dry pitch for the game that could assist both the pace and spin attack.</p>
<p>With the ball in his hand, India&#8217;s Jagval Srinath bowled the first over of the day but the pitch produced a significant bounce even at moderate owling speeds. The second over bowled by off-spinner Rajesh Chauhan witnessed variable bounce and after getting hit by the ball, the batsmen decided to complain to the umpires regarding the poor quality of the pitch.</p>
<p>A one-hour-long discussion between Sri Lanka captain Arjuna Ranatunga, Indian skipper <strong>Sachin Tendulkar,</strong> and the umpires resulted in the game getting abandoned due to an unsafe pitch. However, the two teams decided to play a 25-over exhibition game as compensation for the spectators. Sri Lanka posted 180/8 in the restricted 25 overs after batting first while India ended up with 178/7 in the chase falling three runs short of the target and lost the match.</p>
<p></p>
<h3>5. IND vs SL 2009 Kotla ODI</h3>
<figure id="attachment_491376" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-491376" style="width: 640px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-491376" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Delhi-2009.jpg" alt="Delhi 2009" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-491376" class="wp-caption-text">Delhi 2009. (Photo Source: RAVEENDRAN/AFP via Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
<p>The December 1997 incident saw a repeat telecast in 2009 as the last One Day International of the five-match series between India and <strong>Sri Lanka</strong> at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi was abandoned by the match officials saying that the pitch was of &#8220;extremely variable bounce and too dangerous for further play&#8221;</p>
<p>The match had commenced with MS Dhoni winning the toss and inviting the visiting side to bat first. The first ball of the game saw Zaheer Khan scalping the wicket of opening batsman Upal Tharanga. This was followed by a dropped catch on the first ball of the second over and the blows on the elbow, shoulder, fingers, and thick edges flying past the third man.</p>
<p>By 23.3 overs, the Sri Lankan players had enough as they walked out of the field followed by a long introspection among the officials and the players from both sides. The conclusion of all the talks was the authorities abandoning the One Day International.</p>

There have been many instances in the past when the groundsman failed to make the pitches according to the rules laid out by the ICC.

Five times when pitch created controversy in India

The Indian team management and the authorities have been put under major scrutiny regarding the quality of the Test pitch at Motera