‘Let’s have a cracking series’ - Irfan Pathan shares picture of WACA's surface ahead of Nagpur Test

Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan took a dig at the Australian media by sharing a picture of the WACA surface in Perth with cracks that was used in the 2013 Ashes game, as reported by News 18. 

Irfan shared the picture on his social media with the caption, “Let’s have a cracking series;).” The Australian media including some ex-players have been claiming that the track for the first Test at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur, where the four-match Test series will kick off on February 9, is prepared to the benefit of Indian spinners.

In January 2023, former Australian wicketkeeper Ian Healy claimed that India produced unfair wickets for Australia’s last outing in 2017. Meanwhile, Australian star batter Steve Smith also stated that practice games in India are ‘irrelevant’ as the Australian team refused to play a practice game ahead of the Test series, claiming that the pitch for the practice game will be different from the pitch of the official match.

The Aussies also called Mahesh Pithiya, the spinner from Baroda, for their training session to tackle India's lead spinner, as his bowling action resembles Ravichandran Ashwin.

The upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy is crucial from the perspective of both India and Australia to secure the spot in the World Test Championship final, which is scheduled to be played from 7 to 11 June at the Oval, London, with June 12 as a reserve day.

India have been victorious in the preceding three editions of the Border Gavaskar Trophies (2017, 2018-19, 2020-21), with two series wins coming in Australia. Rohit Sharma’s side will be looking to reclaim the title for the fourth time and make their place in the WTC final. Meanwhile, the World’s No.1 Test team will be looking to win a Test series against India after 2014-15. 

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