Former Indian skipper Sunil Gavaskar has come down hard on the criticism related to the pitch at the Chepauk for the second Test. India scored 329 in their first innings with Rohit Sharma getting a massive hundred. In reply, England were bowled out for 134 in the first innings courtesy of Ravichandran Ashwin’s 29th fifer. Meanwhile, former England skipper Michael Vaughan has heavily criticised the track after 15 wickets fell on day 2. England lost 10 wickets, while India lost five on the same day.
Taking to Twitter, Michael Vaughan in a series of tweets spoke about the behaviour of the Chennai pitch. “It’s entertaining cricket as things are happening all the time but let’s be honest this Pitch is a shocker. Not making any excuses as India have been better but this isn’t a Test Match 5 day prepared Pitch … #INDvENG” said the former England skipper.
It’s entertaining cricket as things are happening all the time but let’s be honest this Pitch is a shocker .. Not making any excuses as India have been better but this isn’t a Test Match 5 day prepared Pitch … #INDvENG
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) February 14, 2021
Vaughan got support from former Australian batsman Mark Waugh who also complained of the uneven nature of the Chepauk track.
I’m all for a good contest between bat and ball in test match cricket but this pitch in Chennai is unacceptable at test match level. You can’t have the ball going through the top of the surface on day 1 from the main part of the pitch” wrote MarKWaugh in support of Vaughan.
Meanwhile, Sunil Gavaskar came out with a staunch response to the comments from the two former cricketers. Speaking on Star Sports before the start of play on Day 3, Gavaskar indulged in a debate with former England cricketer Mark Butcher on the pitch and said that India batsman Rohit Sharma has proven the pitch is not unplayable.
Also Read: Shane Warne, Graeme Swann Reacts To Michael Vaughan’s Criticism Of Chennai Pitch
Sunil Gavaskar Slams Michael Vaughan, Mark Waugh
“Some of them are saying that – but you have a seeming pitch in England. Australia get dismissed for 46 – the ball keeps seeming all throughout. No one talks about that. It’s always about Indian pitches, and when the ball starts to turn, people pose a problem,” Gavaskar said.
The former Indian skipper further kept the example of Rohit Sharma’s innings to prove that the pitch is not that bad for batting. Rohit played efficiently in the first innings and swept the England bowlers to good effect as well.
“Yes. One or two who we know who don’t like India, who don’t like England, so they always be having a go at India and England, so that’s fine. We ignore them because we know the double standards. But basically, we saw with Rohit Sharma’s innings, if pitch was impossible, nobody would have scored 330,” Gavaskar said.
Meanwhile, India have extended their lead to beyond 350 with four wickets still left in their second innings. Virat Kohli & R Ashwin have put on a 50-run stand before the lunch break.
Also Read: Watch: Ben Foakes Gets Rohit Sharma & Rishabh Pant Stumped As India Lose Three Early Wickets
