Grassy wicket stuns Indians
The shock is greater because the Nagpur wicket was known to be a slow turner and not a track that could bring smiles to a fast bowler, reports Pradeep Magazine.
The ground resembles a well-manicured lawn. It is as green as it could get and would tempt any player to display his diving skills. But there is a problem, especially for the Indians.
The strip at the centre of the ground may not be green but it is well grassed and that must have upset the Indian camp.
Even after admitting that making an attempt to read a wicket could be injurious to one's reputation, no one can ignore the fact that the VCA wicket is unlike any wicket seen in India.
The Australians are understandably surprised and the Indians are sulking.
The shock is greater because the Nagpur wicket was known to be a slow turner and not a track that could well see smiles on a fast bowler's face.
There is every possibility that all attempts will be made to remove as much grass as possible from the wicket, but the curator of the track said: "It won't be possible to remove all the grass as that could spoil the wicket completely."
"This is a new square and has been prepared according to the guidelines of the BCCI's pitch committee," he said.
That could be true but this is not the sort of wicket that the doctor ordered for India.
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ABOUT THE AUTHORPradeep MagazineBefore I come to the point, a bit of a preamble is required. Even at the best of times, the relationship between those who perform and those who write and pass judgments on them is tenuous. And at the worst of times, it is tense and edgy. Over the years, both have generally learnt to live with each other and not cross the line between being downright rude and extra respectful, writes Pradeep Magazine.
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