The Game Loses its Essence: Gill on Flat Pitches & Dukes Ball
The ongoing Test series between England and India has been a mixed bag, with both teams showcasing their skills on the field. However, India Test captain Shubman Gill has raised a pertinent concern about the state of the game, specifically the lack of support for bowlers. In an interview with ESPNcricinfo, Gill opined that the combination of flat pitches and the Dukes ball is making the game challenging for bowlers, and as a result, the game is losing its essence.
Gill’s comments came after India’s first Test match against England, where the visitors struggled to contain the hosts’ batsmen on a flat Trent Bridge pitch. The Indian bowlers were left to toil on a surface that offered little assistance, and as a result, they were unable to take wickets at regular intervals. This lack of support from the pitch meant that the Indian batsmen had to be cautious and defensive-minded, which ultimately led to a dull and low-scoring game.
Gill’s concerns are not unfounded. In recent times, there has been a trend of flat pitches being prepared for Test matches, which has made it difficult for bowlers to extract any significant movement or turn. This lack of assistance has led to batsmen dominating the game, and bowlers struggling to make an impact. The Indian captain believes that this is not the ideal way to play the game, and that the game loses its essence when bowlers are unable to take wickets.
“The game loses its essence when the bowlers are not getting any help,” Gill said. “If you know there [are] only 20 overs of any help and then you have to spend the rest of the day on the defensive, thinking how to stop runs, then the game loses its essence.”
Gill’s comments are not limited to just the Indian team. Many experts have been saying that the current state of the game is not conducive to the bowlers, and that the pitches being prepared are not allowing them to showcase their skills. The Dukes ball, which is used in Test cricket, is designed to swing and seam, but on flat pitches, it becomes difficult for the bowlers to get any significant movement.
The Indian captain believes that the game loses its essence when bowlers are unable to take wickets, and that it becomes a game of containment rather than attacking cricket. He believes that the bowlers need some assistance from the pitch to be able to take wickets and make an impact on the game.
“When you’re not getting any help, you have to be very defensive-minded,” Gill said. “You can’t be aggressive, you can’t be trying to take wickets. You’re just trying to contain the runs. That’s not the way to play Test cricket. Test cricket is about taking wickets and building pressure on the opposition. When you’re not getting any help, it’s very difficult to do that.”
Gill’s comments have sparked a debate about the state of the game, and whether the pitches being prepared are conducive to the bowlers. Many experts believe that the game needs a balance between batsmen and bowlers, and that the current trend of flat pitches is not allowing bowlers to showcase their skills.
In conclusion, Gill’s comments highlight the importance of a balance between batsmen and bowlers in Test cricket. The game loses its essence when bowlers are unable to take wickets, and it becomes a game of containment rather than attacking cricket. The Indian captain believes that the game needs some assistance from the pitch to be able to take wickets and make an impact on the game. As the game continues to evolve, it is essential for the administrators to ensure that the pitches being prepared are conducive to the bowlers, and that the game remains exciting and competitive.
