Australian media lashes out at Pitch Doctoring done at Ranchi track

The Australian media is definitely not pleased with the kind of track that is being prepared for the third Test between India and Australia. The reports had suggested that there were three tracks prepared for the match and the Indian team chose the one with no grass at all. Clearly, they wished to have their spinners in command of the decisive Test. The media took severe digs at the efforts of bringing out a bad pitch. The pitch at Pune was rated to be ‘poor’ by the ICC. The one that was prepared for Bengaluru Test received a ‘below average’ remark.

Now, the Aussie media believes that the track at Ranchi will be stooping to a new low. Popular media house, The Daily Telegraph, quoted the track to be “Australia’s’ worst fears”. They remarked that the curators have done a very poor job by creating a biased surface. One of the articles published had the title, “Indian pitch doctors take their craft to a new low in Ranchi”. While elaborating their content, they explained, “pitch doctoring has now gone to another level and the reputation and integrity of Indian cricket is on the brink of complete embarrassment”.

Amidst this situation, if the match fails to last at least four days, the media will definitely hit back strong at the credibility of Indian tracks hosting Test matches. The news agency said that it will come as no surprise to see the pitch rated as poor if it behaves the same way as Pune track did. “India would happily put up with another slap on the wrist from the ICC for the Ranchi pitch if they can ambush Australia with a series-defining hit and run job starting on Thursday,” a statement read.

“…if early impressions of this devilish pitch come to fruition, it could be argued India has done nothing to adhere to the ICC’s demands for both teams to play in the spirit of the game,” The Daily Telegraph noted further. Another news house, The Australian, criticized the pitch as the patchwork quilt pitch.

“India have attempted to blunt the bounce of Australia’s pacemen,” they claimed. The outfield at the venue Ranchi had earlier come under the scanner last year when an ODI against Sri Lanka was scheduled at the venue. “Every blade of grass had been removed from the wicket, which had lumpy sections of rough and also some parts that were soaked. The outfield also raised some eyebrows,” The Australian reported.

They also described that there have been a few tailor made patches on the pitch that are made to help Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja in the match. The Australians will see the driest wicket they have ever played on.

“Ravi Jadeja a potential assassin on this pitch. There are clearly defined bare patches on this wicket custom made specifically for fellow spinner Ravi Ashwin to exploit.”

“If the decision was between well done, medium and rare – India have selected a surface off the menu as raw, dry and grassless as any pitch this Australian team has ever seen.”