I know I've been absent for a very long time now. To put it simply, I've been suffering from 'Writer's block'. Inspiration to write has come around, once again, through the very very special people in my life. There was endless counselling to go with the most pleasant surprise of a brand new diary, all of which came from people whom I hadn't even spoken to about this. I then realized two things. First, I realized that I am surrounded by special people, and that simply goes to reflect on good choices which I am glad I have made. Secondly, I realized that there were people in the world who understood and liked my writing and the joy that I get from it. Needless to say, this is indeed special.
Today, however, I'd like to explore a horizon which is completely new to me. I haven't ever written on any public affairs or controversy, but one of my greatest passions is cricket. I'd like to take this opportunity to take a closer look into all the controversy surrounding the pitch that was prepared for the third Test between India and South Africa in Nagpur. If you've been reading newspapers or are, like me, a regular on ESPNcricinfo, you would know that there has been a lot of reactions to the pitch that was prepared, and what the meant for the cricket that was played. It began with current and former players from other countries slamming India for preparing pitches that ruin Test cricket, and ended with the ICC officially giving it a 'poor' rating.
In between, however, we saw some reactions from the Indian players, in strong defense of the Nagpur pitch. They used the examples of the Day-Night Test match which just concluded in Adelaide and the Trent Bridge Ashes Test that took place earlier this year. This reference was made to show if other countries could prepare pitches to suit their home teams, Indian curators were well within their rights to do the same. Yes, the fact is, whether it's the pace and bounce in Australia, the seam in New Zealand, the swing, seam or sideways movement of England or the bounce of South Africa, each country has a trademark attached to their pitches, clearly made to suit their home teams. India, along similar lines, prepare pitches that assist their spinners. This isn't wrong by any means. But according to many, including the ICC, Nagpur pitch was a real desperate attempt to 'win at all costs'.
After reading all this, and finding that it all made sense on some level, it so happened that I switched on the TV to find the highlights of the Nagpur Test. I then decided to watch the highlights and make a judgement for myself. Among this, there was the wicket of AB de Villiers in the first innings, caught and bowled by Ravindra Jadeja. Then, there was Simon Harmer, who bowled by a carrom ball from R Ashwin that turn the other way sharply from outside leg stump to knock off the middle stump. Then, in the second innings, there was a ball bowled to Faf du Plessis which got super sharp turn and bounce. Last, and perhaps for once, the least, the wicket of Hashim Amla to a similar delivery from Amit Mishra.
Apart from these deliveries, based on the highlights, no other batsman from either side seemed to be a victim of the demons in the pitch. The remaining wickets were off deliveries very much normal and accepted for subcontinent conditions. This just goes to show that it was, rather than anything else, a combination of good spin bowling and some poor shot selection from all the batsman who played. In fact, to further disprove the 'poor' rating, I can't help but look back at the wicket of Ajinkya Rahane in the first innings. He was set up beautifully by a series of out-swingers from Morne Morkel, leading to him pulling out an expansive off-drive off the next ball only to find it coming back into him and rattling his stumps, leaving him in a total state of shock. This wasn't the pitch. This, if anything was Test Cricket at its very best, proving why all true cricket enthusiasts love this format. The other batsman too, played some really poor shots, most noteworthy Ajinkya Rahane again and Faf du Plessis in the second innings.
I'd finally (sorry about that :P) like to conclude by saying that one look at the highlights is all that it took for me to understand that whatever happens in the final Test in Delhi, both teams have serious work to do in the batting department, while India should be able to celebrate a well-earned series win.
P.S; As I finish, the fourth Test in Delhi is about to start, lets see what unfolds there!
Today, however, I'd like to explore a horizon which is completely new to me. I haven't ever written on any public affairs or controversy, but one of my greatest passions is cricket. I'd like to take this opportunity to take a closer look into all the controversy surrounding the pitch that was prepared for the third Test between India and South Africa in Nagpur. If you've been reading newspapers or are, like me, a regular on ESPNcricinfo, you would know that there has been a lot of reactions to the pitch that was prepared, and what the meant for the cricket that was played. It began with current and former players from other countries slamming India for preparing pitches that ruin Test cricket, and ended with the ICC officially giving it a 'poor' rating.
In between, however, we saw some reactions from the Indian players, in strong defense of the Nagpur pitch. They used the examples of the Day-Night Test match which just concluded in Adelaide and the Trent Bridge Ashes Test that took place earlier this year. This reference was made to show if other countries could prepare pitches to suit their home teams, Indian curators were well within their rights to do the same. Yes, the fact is, whether it's the pace and bounce in Australia, the seam in New Zealand, the swing, seam or sideways movement of England or the bounce of South Africa, each country has a trademark attached to their pitches, clearly made to suit their home teams. India, along similar lines, prepare pitches that assist their spinners. This isn't wrong by any means. But according to many, including the ICC, Nagpur pitch was a real desperate attempt to 'win at all costs'.
After reading all this, and finding that it all made sense on some level, it so happened that I switched on the TV to find the highlights of the Nagpur Test. I then decided to watch the highlights and make a judgement for myself. Among this, there was the wicket of AB de Villiers in the first innings, caught and bowled by Ravindra Jadeja. Then, there was Simon Harmer, who bowled by a carrom ball from R Ashwin that turn the other way sharply from outside leg stump to knock off the middle stump. Then, in the second innings, there was a ball bowled to Faf du Plessis which got super sharp turn and bounce. Last, and perhaps for once, the least, the wicket of Hashim Amla to a similar delivery from Amit Mishra.
Apart from these deliveries, based on the highlights, no other batsman from either side seemed to be a victim of the demons in the pitch. The remaining wickets were off deliveries very much normal and accepted for subcontinent conditions. This just goes to show that it was, rather than anything else, a combination of good spin bowling and some poor shot selection from all the batsman who played. In fact, to further disprove the 'poor' rating, I can't help but look back at the wicket of Ajinkya Rahane in the first innings. He was set up beautifully by a series of out-swingers from Morne Morkel, leading to him pulling out an expansive off-drive off the next ball only to find it coming back into him and rattling his stumps, leaving him in a total state of shock. This wasn't the pitch. This, if anything was Test Cricket at its very best, proving why all true cricket enthusiasts love this format. The other batsman too, played some really poor shots, most noteworthy Ajinkya Rahane again and Faf du Plessis in the second innings.
I'd finally (sorry about that :P) like to conclude by saying that one look at the highlights is all that it took for me to understand that whatever happens in the final Test in Delhi, both teams have serious work to do in the batting department, while India should be able to celebrate a well-earned series win.
P.S; As I finish, the fourth Test in Delhi is about to start, lets see what unfolds there!
