Rohit Sharma’s words on pitch after the shortest test match ever

The second test match played between India and South Africa at Cape Town was the shortest test match in history of test cricket. It ended in just 107 overs, barely few more than a full ODI match.

                               

In the press conference following the match, Rohit Sharma blasted at ICC who rated the Ahmedabad pitch of world cup final match unsatisfactory. Notably, Travis head scored a century in that match while Australia comfortably chased down the target of 240 runs in that match. Rohit Sharma’s reaction suggested that he was unhappy with the pitch rating policy adopted by ICC and he suggested that ICC should be more even while rating pitches in India and those outside the subcontinent. His reactions also suggested that the Cape Town pitch was a nightmare for batsman as suggested by 23 wickets falling on day 1 of the match, while 10 more fell in another one and half sessions on day 2. Rohit Sharma quoted:

"I don't mind playing on pitches like this as long as everyone keeps their mouth shut in India and doesn’t complain about Indian pitches. You come here to challenge yourself. And when people come to India it is challenging as well"

 

                          

In my opinion, Rohit Sharma is not completely wrong in thinking that the pitches rating decided by ICC and in general by 'cricket pandits' all around the world is completely justified and is not biased against the Indian pitches. According to my opinion and observations, the world is overly critical when Indian pitches turn a little too much, but at the same time, they don’t believe that too much swing or bounce is not fair to the balance between bat and ball. Consider the below case:

pitch before start of the match

When the 3rd test match between India and England in Ahmedabad in 2021 ended in just two days, there was a lot of debate over the pitch and it is not good for cricket because it is turning too much and ball is overly dominating the bat. Former English players like Michael Vaughan, Alastair Cook and Andrew Strauss came bashing the pitches that such pitches are harmful for cricket and the batting conditions were too difficult. But when a test match is completed in two days in seam friendly conditions in South Africa or anywhere else in the world, I hear no such talks of pitch being bad or unjust for batsman. If the overly spinning tracks are not good for test cricket, then doesn’t the same apply to overly seaming and bouncing pitches ? Similarly, if a match is played for 5 full days and still ends in a draw, isn’t that also bad for test cricket, as most people would love to atleast get a result if the full match was played. Besides, whatever the pitch is, it is the same for both the teams, so instead of bashing the pitch, how about focusing on the game itself and try to better the opposition team ?

Also Read: Second test as it happened

There have been word around the cricketing fraternity about preparing ideal pitches for test cricket, which seams around on day one, becomes batting friendly on day 2 and 3, and starts to spin on day 4 and 5. Even if we prepare pitches like this for test matches, does it guarantee the results on the pitch. Besides, isn't test cricket at the highest level all about testing your skills and adaptability from both the teams. Also, people start talking about India preparing pitches for their advantage when it is spin friendly conditions, but isn't it also the home advantage when you create swing friendly pitches in England or bouncy pitches in Australia or South Africa. 

Here is an interesting discussion and would like to know your thoughts on. What would you rather prefer, test match ending in 3 days with a result or test match being played for full 5 days and still ending in a draw ?