ICC should dock India's points if pitch for next Test match is the same: Monty Panesar

The third Test between India and England ended within two days and the pitch is in discussion since then. The Test turned out to be the shortest since the Second World War as it lasted only 842 balls and many are complaining about the surface on offer in Ahmedabad which turned from Day 1. However, the likes of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Ravi Ashwin have defended the pitch stating that batsmen from both sides lacked skills in the game.

On the contrary, former England cricketers including Michael Vaughan are fuming. Even Monty Panesar is not happy with the surface on offer and reckoned that the biggest stadium in the world deserves longer matches. He also compared the game to club cricket in England where a team gets bundled out for a score less than 100.

“It was like playing club cricket on a Saturday in England. When we play club cricket, we will bowl a team out for under 100, and then it’s difficult to chase because it’s a turning pitch. I think being the biggest stadium in the world, Narendra Modi Stadium deserves longer Test matches because people want to see how good the wicket is, you look at the stadium, beautiful views, and what an amazing stadium India has produced.

“It does not deserve a two-day Test match that’s under 900 balls, you might just play on a park, if you are going to play this type of cricket,” he was quoted as saying by Times of India.

Ahmedabad pitch was worse than Chennai

Monty Panesar even went on to say that the ICC has to look into the matter and should dock India’s points if a similar kind of pitch is on offer for the fourth and final Test. Interestingly, few also complained about the turning pitch for the second Test in Chennai and compared to it, Panesar termed the Ahmedabad surface as worse.

“I think if the next Test match is the same, then yes, the ICC should dock points. Everyone is delighted that cricket has now got the biggest stadium in the world now. At least the curator should have produced a good wicket, even if it’s a turning wicket, everyone was complaining about Chennai, this was even worse,” the 38-year-old added.