In India, conversations regarding pitch curations have been ongoing for a very long time.
Multiple Australian selectors and cricket experts have exploded in outrage over the apparent attempt by Indian pitch curators to “manipulate” the playing field of the initial Nagpur Test.
Even prior to the formal start of the eagerly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2023, the Australians have expressed grave worries about the lack of neutrality of the Indian fields. It has also been noted that the surface favours the hosts far more than their opponents.
In the lead-up to the Test in Nagpur, images of the pitch have gone viral, which has infuriated Australian cricket analysts. It is evident that the area surrounding the off-stump of a left-handed batsman has not been watered. In addition, just the centre of the field has been rolled, not the good length region.
Australian analysts accuse India of unfair tactics.
“The pitch is multi-toned. On SEN WA Breakfast, prominent cricket expert Robert Craddock stated, “The old statement regarding pitches is ‘Oh, it’s the same for everyone.'” Craddock went on to accuse the curators of the Nagpur pitch of engaging in malice and providing an unfair advantage to the Indian team.
“When there was too much grass on the Gabba pitch, many said, ‘Yes, it wasn’t a fantastic wicket, but it was the same for everyone. But you can’t claim that about this pitch, since Australia has six left-handed batsmen in their top eight, so multi-preparing areas of the deck is blatant pitch doctoring, and it’s terrible,” he remarked. Numerous former Australian cricketers have echoed Craddock’s views.
Former Australian fast bowler Jason Gillespie stated on SEN WA Breakfast, “I believe the Indian curators are searching for an advantage for India. They believe spin will play a significant factor and that the best chance of defeating Australia is to play to their strengths.”
Former Australian cricketer and current Australian expert Simon O’Donnell urged the ICC to intervene promptly to guarantee that all wickets are prepared impartially and without favouritism. Donnell was astute enough to assert, in a covert dig at the Indian curators, that the ICC did not deem it necessary to communicate with India on such topics.
“If they believe the pitch is not suitable, there will be an ICC referee there, and the ICC will be monitoring this game.
However, there are so many when it comes to India, and we have so many debates, but nothing ever seems to happen,” he remarked.
The dry strip in the centre square of the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium is almost completely devoid of grass, but the grounds crew has watered the surface, with the exception of the full-length patches outside the off stump of a left-handed batter at each end. Five of Australia’s expected top seven batters are left-handed: Usman Khawaja, David Warner, Travis Head, Matthew Renshaw, and Alex Carey.
