Ahead of the third Test against West Indies, the Wankhede curator had promised a wicket that would offer bounce and carry for the bowlers, a typical strip the stadium is known for.
However, the wicket hasn't lived up to its reputation in the first two days' play with West Indies having piled up 575 for nine. Off-spinner R Ashwin didn't mince words when asked about the nature of the wicket.
"This is my eighth game in Wankhede and this is the first time I am seeing a wicket like this. I am quite surprised. It is very much like the practice wicket to the left (of the pitch). I was praying it wouldn't be like that but… It is (usually) one of the most sporting wickets in India. So it is disappointing to see it behave like this," Ashwin said. He was the most successful bowler for India but it has been hard work.
"I don't know if you can extract anything from this wicket. There isn't anything to extract in this wicket. Probably in the final day there might be something, which is just a guess." With West Indies batting out two days, the possibility of India completing a series whitewash looks distant now.
{{/usCountry}}"I don't know if you can extract anything from this wicket. There isn't anything to extract in this wicket. Probably in the final day there might be something, which is just a guess." With West Indies batting out two days, the possibility of India completing a series whitewash looks distant now.
{{/usCountry}}