Aakash Chopra has requested the ideal surface, one that is excellent for batting early on and can accept spinners as the game goes on.
Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra disagrees with former cricketer and head coach Ravi Shastri’s call for “Rank Turners” for the Border Gavaskar Trophy in a furious statement. Chopra has requested the ideal surface, one that is excellent for batting early on and can accept spinners as the game goes on.
The former cricketer-turned-expert believes that if India produces rank-turners in the upcoming series, chance would play a significant role in the results of the games. He suggested that the best pitches for Test cricket in the subcontinent are those that are favourable for batting on the first three days and deteriorate on the fourth and fifth days.
“Ravi Shastri stated that the first ball itself should be used to turn the ball. I personally do not believe in rank turners because the competition still exists even if the pitch turns more. There, chance plays a bigger part.
“If the pitch behaves normally, being favourable for batting on the first day before gradually turning, eventually becoming a very good turner on Days 4 and 5, when spinners rule the roost, your batting against spin is put to the test, and there is support for reverse swing, your batting against spin is tested. On his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra argued that was the optimal surface.
What constitutes fair and unfair pitches?
The former Indian opener responded to past Australian players’ comments regarding the fairness of the surfaces for the next series. In response to those inquiries, he questioned what constitutes a fair and unfair pitch in light of the Australians’ view that turning tracks are unfair. He also reminded the visitors that their most recent Test victory in India occurred in Pune in 2017 on a rank-turner.
“The Australian athletes are requesting that the matches be played on level playing fields so that they can participate. What are fair and unfair pitches, by the way? If the ball turns, is that wrong? Is it appropriate if the ball seams or swings? What is the ideal swing or spin? A fair pitch is precisely what? The lone Test match Australia has won in the past two or three visits was played on the surfaces you are referring to as unfair.