India’ victory over England in Ahmedabad test sets up debate over role of turning tracks
India’s victory over England in Ahmedabad test has set up a hot debate over the role of turning tracks among cricketers. The first Test at the new Narendra Modi stadium in Ahmedabad will be remembered as the shortest one ever played in India. This day-night Test, the first first class match played at the ground since 2013, will also be remembered as the shortest completed Test globally since 1935.
More than the players, the performance of the pitch is being discussed big time in cricket circles. While the purists labelled it as poor, Indian Skipper Virat Kohli called it “very good”, and, instead blamed the batsmen on both teams for coming up with an under par” performance against good spin bowling. He said it was a very good pitch to bat on – especially in the first innings – and it felt like the ball was coming on nicely with the odd-ball turning.
Axar Patel and R Ashwin hounded England for a second successive day, to help India take a pivotal 2-1 series lead in the four-Test series. The defeat eliminated England from the race for the second finalist spot in the World Test Championship, to be played in June.
Not everyone agreed with Kohli though. Among those who differed included two former England captains – Strauss and Cook, who felt Kohli was being protective of the groundsmen. According to Cook, who led England to a 2-1 series victory on the 2012-13 tour in India, the degree of turn on offer for the spinners was too much
and came into play way too early.
Strauss echoed his former opening partner’s remarks and used England captain Root as an example. He said Root, an excellent player of spin too failed to score runs, though he was in great form as well. Strauss refused to accept the pitch has no fault to play.
All said and done, this test will go down in the history of cricket as an unforgettable battle, won by Virat Kohli and his boys.
Indian fans are very happy with India’s thumping victory over England. India is now leading the current test series with 2-1 lead.
Indian players have celebrated their victory and Ravichandran Ashwin’s 400 wickets record with a special cake in Ahmedabad hotel. Ashwin makes a history by completing his 400 test wickets. Man of the match Akshar Patel also took 10 plus wickets on his home turf. Cricket lovers in Ahmedabad are very happy with the outcome that put India 2-1 ahead in the four test series
Now, the fans are expecting some fight back from English players in the fourth test, which will be played at the same venue.
