Handscomb says team “tricked” by Nagpur pitch after Jadeja, Ashwin brilliance
Jadeja celebrates his five-fer (Source: BCCI)
Much was speculated about the Nagpur pitch, particularly from the Australian segment, in the lead-up to the opening Border-Gavaskar Test. However, on the day of reckoning, the tourist batters slipped, fell and crawled their way to a mere 177.
Amidst constant allegations of India producing a rank-turner, it were hosts’ speed demons Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj who threw early punches on the first morning by removing both Australian openers. Thereon, spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Ravi Ashwin mopped up the rest of the famed Australian batting line-up, and allowed India to bat one full session to bat late in the day.
At the end of Day 1, Australia’s number six Peter Handscomb claimed that his team was “tricked” by Nagpur pitch as they expected a lot more turn on offer. He added that some of the batters were simply undone with the deliveries that did not turn at all.
Handscomb says Nagpur pitch playing tricks, praises Jadeja
The Australian batsman stated that the pitch did not do as much for the spinners as they were initially expecting. They expected a bit more turn from the surface and were eventually undone by the lack of it. While speaking at the press conference after stumps on Day 1, he said:
“It definitely wasn’t easy out there. It’s tough because when the pitch is playing tricks that starts to play with your mind a little bit as well. The ball that doesn’t do as much you expect to do a little bit more and that’s where you can come undone with the ball that goes straight on, rather than the big turners we saw out there as well.”
Handscomb also praised ace Indian spinner Ravindra Jadeja, who claimed a scintillating five-fer and wrecked the Australian middle-order. The 31-year-old cricketer said:
“Ravindra Jadeja was obviously bowling very well, not really giving our batsmen a lot to hit and I found him tough to score against.”
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