Team India’s assistant coach Abhishek Nayar has refuted claims that the management requests specific pitch types for home Tests. He emphasized that curators are responsible for preparing the surfaces, while players focus on their performance.
Speculation about the Indian team influencing pitch conditions has increased during the ongoing Test series against New Zealand. The first Test in Bengaluru favoured seamers, and the second in Pune provided ample turn, leading to losses for Rohit Sharma and his team in both matches, resulting in a series defeat.
At a press conference on October 30, ahead of the third Test at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, Nayar reiterated that the Indian team does not influence pitch preparations at home, stating:
“I wish we could curate pitches, but we don’t. The curators do. Whatever we’re provided with, we go on and play (whether) that’d be a pitch that seamed or a pitch that turned. As cricketers and as a team, we try and play what we’re provided with. We don’t try and get conditions according to what we want.”
Virat Kohli in the fielding practice session 🔥 pic.twitter.com/1la8j1kXG1
— Virat Kohli Fan Club (@Trend_VKohli) October 30, 2024
India batted first after winning the toss in Bengaluru but were bowled out for just 46, losing the match by eight wickets. In the second Test, New Zealand defeated India by 113 runs, with left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner taking 13 wickets.
“At times, you need to show patience, even with the best players”- Nayar on Rohit, Kohli
A significant reason for India’s surprising defeat to New Zealand has been the underwhelming performances of stars Virat Kohli and captain Rohit Sharma. While many fans and critics believe their time is running out, Nayar remains hopeful. Addressing the lack of runs from the senior players, he stated:
“Everyone’s worked really hard, everyone wants to do well, whether you’re Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma or even someone as young as Shubman Gill. The effort is there. The approach is great. I feel they’re putting in the hard yards. Sometimes, you’ve got to be a little patient, even with the greatest of players, and they can have tough times.”
“I’m pretty sure sooner rather than later, we’ll have more to praise about Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma and everyone else as well,” Nayar added.
Rohit has scored 62 runs in four innings, while Kohli has totaled 88 runs. Both players have only reached fifty once in the Test series.
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