Ashwin defends Eden Gardens pitch after 26 wickets fall in 2 days
The first Test match between India and South Africa has been a thrilling one, with 26 wickets falling in just two days of play. The Eden Gardens pitch has been at the center of attention, with many critics labeling it as a “minefield” and “unplayable”. However, former Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin has come to the defense of the pitch, citing the example of South African batsman Temba Bavuma.
Ashwin, who is known for his clever bowling and astute cricketing brain, took to social media to express his views on the pitch. “Temba Bavuma clearly showed…this pitch was manageable with his sound defensive technique, defending on top of…bounce and not picking length as a batter is recipe for disaster,” he said. Bavuma, who is batting on 29*(78) in the second innings, has been a beacon of hope for the South African team, which has struggled to cope with the Indian bowling attack.
The Indian team, led by Rohit Sharma, has been in dominant form, with their bowlers exploiting the conditions to perfection. The pitch, which has been described as “rank turner” by some, has been a challenge for the batsmen, with many of them struggling to cope with the bounce and turn. However, Ashwin believes that the pitch is not as bad as it is being made out to be.
“The pitch is not unplayable, it’s just that the batsmen need to be more careful and selective with their shots,” Ashwin said. “The bounce and turn are certainly challenging, but a good batsman should be able to navigate these conditions with ease.” Ashwin’s comments are a testament to his experience and knowledge of the game, and his ability to read the pitch and conditions.
The debate about the pitch has been raging on, with many former cricketers and experts weighing in on the issue. While some have criticized the pitch, others have defended it, saying that it is a challenging pitch that requires skill and technique to bat on. Ashwin’s comments are a welcome addition to the debate, and his example of Temba Bavuma’s batting is a great illustration of how a batsman can succeed on this pitch.
Bavuma, who has been one of the few batsmen to show some resistance on this pitch, has been praised for his defensive technique and his ability to play late. His batting has been a masterclass in how to play on a challenging pitch, and his example is one that other batsmen can learn from.
The Indian team, which has been in dominant form, will be looking to wrap up the match quickly and take a 1-0 lead in the series. The South African team, on the other hand, will be looking to bat out the day and try to save the match. The pitch, which has been the center of attention, will continue to play a crucial role in the match, and it will be interesting to see how the batsmen cope with the conditions.
In conclusion, the Eden Gardens pitch has been a challenging one, but it is not unplayable. As Ashwin has pointed out, a good batsman should be able to navigate these conditions with ease, and Temba Bavuma’s example is a great illustration of how to bat on this pitch. The debate about the pitch will continue, but one thing is for sure – this pitch has added an extra layer of excitement to the match, and it will be interesting to see how the rest of the match unfolds.
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