Xtra Time Web Desk: Team India captain Rohit Sharma on Thursday said he did not mind playing on a track like the one that was offered for the second test match against Proteas at Newlands Cricket Stadium. The wicket at Newlands saw 33 wickets falling in two days as the test match finished before Tea on Day 2, making it the shortest completed Test in history. Rohit does not mind as long there are no talks about the Indian pitches taking turn from Day 1.
“We all saw what happened in this Test and how the pitch played,” said Rohit, after leading India to a 1-1 draw in the two-match series. “It is dangerous, it is challenging. When they come to India, it will be challenging as well. When you’re here to play Test cricket, you talk about Test cricket being the ultimate prize and pinnacle, and then you should stand by it,” Rohit Sharma said in the post-match press conference in Newlands Stadium.
He added, “You should come and face it. When the pitch starts to turn, they keep talking about dust and the cracks. It’s important to stay neutral, especially the match referees. I still can’t believe the World Cup final pitch was rated below average. The ICC and the referees need to start looking into it. You have to rate pitches on how they see it and not based on countries…All I want to say is be neutral… And I would like to see how a pitch is rated. I would like to see the chart, how they rate pitches.”
Looking back at India’s victory inside two days, Rohit said, “Once we got them all out for 55, we spoke to the batters and told them we needed small contributions from them — apply yourself even if you get hit on your body. Our batters showed a lot of grit. The first innings lead was crucial. But we never thought we would lose 6 wickets for no runs. That was disappointing.”
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