'It's About Skills' - Rohit Sharma Defends Spin-Friendly Indian Pitches
Skipper Rohit Sharma and coach Rahul Dravid [AP Photos]
As the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2023 had another three-day finish with Australia ending at the better side of the result for a change, India captain Rohit Sharma opined on the batters' skill-sets, lamenting it as the reason for the matches to not complete their entire duration on bowling-friendly pitches.
While the first two games of the series lasted for three days and two sessions, the recently-concluded Indore Test saw Australia achieving the 76-run target on the morning of Day 3.
Citing on the pitches in Pakistan, Rohit light-heartedly talked about how the cricketing community complained about the flat tracks there and that India are trying to add in the entertainment factor by producing spin-friendly wickets.
"What can I say about that. People have to play well for the game to last for 5 days. Games are not lasting for 5 days even outside India. Yesterday in South Africa, the game got over within 3 days... Australia as well in the first Test match. So it's about skills... people have to adapt with skills. If the pitches are helping the bowlers, batters need to try and test their skills.
The skipper also took a cheeky dig at the other teams, referring to their style of pitches.
It is not about always making sure that we are playing on flat pitches and then the results don't come. In Pakistan, three Test matches were played. People were saying it has become so boring. We are making it interesting for you guys," Rohit said in the post-match press conference.
Further, the 35-year-old informed that the team came into a mutual agreement to manufacture pitches that will benefit the spinners.
"At the start of the series we decided what do to and which type of pitches we want to play on. And this was a collective call that we want to play on such wickets. I don't think it's a way to put pressure on our batters. When we win, everything looks hunky-dory; there isn't much discussion about the batting. It's when we lose that these things come to light. We also know that we can face challenges too but we are ready for it," he added.
With the series standing 2-1 in favour of India despite Australia's latest win, it will be all to play for when the two teams meet in the final Test at Ahmedabad on March 9.
 "Aayush Mahajan")
