'The pitch Should Be Left To The Curators Alone,' Opines Ian Chappell
KS Bharat failed to pick a straighter one on a spinning pitch (AP Photo)
Ever since the start of the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2023, there have been a lot of talks and views about the pitches that have been prepared for the three Tests thus far. Most of the Australian media and cricket fraternity has opined that India prepare pitches best suited to them.
Former Australia captain Ian Chappell has also joined the bandwagon, saying that curators should be allowed freedom to prepare the surfaces, and the home teams should not make specific demands about the pitch.
Chappell's comments came after the end of the first day's play in Indore, where the third Test is currently underway. India were bowled out for 109 and while the visitors edged ahead at stumps, reaching 156/4 with a 47-run lead.
"Should players and administrators be telling the curators how to prepare the pitch and what sort of pitch they want? It is the greatest bit of rubbish I have ever heard," Chappell told ESPNcricinfo.
"The pitch should be left to the curator. The curator produces what he thinks is a good pitch, and then you as players get on and play on it. Once you have got the administrators and cricketers telling people what they think should the pitch be, then you are asking for trouble," he added.
The venue of the third Test was shifted from Dharamsala to Indore for the reason that HPCA is not fit to host international cricket after a recent renovation.
After the second day's play, India were bundled out for 163 in the second innings, thanks to Cheteshwar Pujara's perseverant knock of 59, giving Australia a target of 76 runs to win their first Test match on the tour.
Chappell retired from international cricket in 1980 after scoring more than 6000 runs in nearly 100 matches for Australia. He also captained the national team between 1971 and 1975. Since his retirement in 1980, he has been an active sports journalist and commentator.
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