Cape Town: After Team India’s historic win over South Africa in the second and final Test of the two-match Test series at the Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town, Team India captain Rohit Sharma has made a strong statement asking the ICC match referees to adopt a “neutral” approach on rating pitches especially those outside the Indian subcontinent. Notably, Rohit led his team to a win in a match that lasted only 106.2 overs, ovecoming a 92-year-old when Australia vs South Africa match had lasted 109 overs way back in 1932.
He said that he is ready to play on challenging conditions on offer like in Cape Town but only on one condition: everyone else should also keep quiet when they come to India.
“We all saw what happened in this Test and how the pitch played. I honestly don’t mind playing on pitches like these. As long as everyone keeps their mouth shut when they come to India,” Rohit said after the match.
“Yes, it is dangerous, it is challenging. When they come to India, it’s challenging as well,” Rohit responded at the presser.
“When you’re here to play Test cricket, you talk about Test cricket the ultimate prize and pinnacle, and then you should stand by it.
“You should come and face it. In India, day one the pitch starts turning, they keep talking about of ‘puff of dust, puff of dust’. Here there were cracks,” the Indian skipper who remained unbeaten on 17 and came back after India sealed a win stated.
ICC Match Referees Should Be Neutral: Rohit Sharma
“It’s important to stay neutral, especially the match referees. Some of the match referees need to keep their eyes on how they rate pitches,” the skipper was unusually aggressive.
Meanwhile, Rohit was also reminded of the “average” rating which the ODI World Cup final in Ahmedabad received from ICC Match Referee Andy Pycroft. The India Opener differed saying that the pitch wasn’t a poor one and Travis Head’s hundred in the run-chase was an example of it was a good track to bat on.
“I still can’t believe the World Cup final pitch was rated ‘below average’ (average actually). How can that be a poor pitch?” he asked. “The ICC and the referees need to start looking into it. Rate pitches based on how they see it and not based on countries (hosting). I am all for pitches like these (like the one at Newlands).”
“We pride ourselves playing on pitches like these, all I want to say is be neutral.”
“I would like to see the how the pitch has been rated. I want to see it now. I want to see the chart, how they rate pitches. Clearly, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Cape Town, Centurion, all are different. Pitches deteriorate fast, overhead conditions are different.
“If the ball seams from ball one, that’s okay, but if the ball starts turning…. If the ball starts turning, they don’t like it. If you want the ball only to seam and not turn, it’s wrong,” Rohit said in response to those who criticise rank turners in Indian conditions.
“I have seen enough of cricket now. I have seen enough of how these match referees looks into these ratings, I have no issues with how they want to note, they have to be neutral,” he said.
(With Inputs From PTI)
