Former Indian selector Kris Srikkanth has lashed out at the Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir for his ‘no demons on the pitch’ comment after India’s 30-run defeat to South Africa in the first Test at the Eden Gardens on Sunday, November 16.
Speaking exclusively on his YouTube channel, Srikkanth asserted that the uneven bounce being offered on the Eden wicket made life tough for batters right from the opening day of the Test. Further, he slammed the Indian team management for persisting on such bad wickets at home.
"The point I don't understand is, Gambhir told there are no demons and you should show better technique and all that. How can you play on this kind of a wicket? So many batters tried to defend and got out at slip or lbw. Let's face it, this South Africa is not a strong batting line-up or a strong side. Why do you want to keep on persisting on these kind of bad wickets and then blame the technique of the players? That is not right. No matter who you are, how can you survive on this wicket? Bavuma did but that was just one player out of all," Kris Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel.
Additionally, Srikkanth reckoned that the Indian team shouldn’t play Test matches at home on such wickets moving forward, adding that the Indian team coach shouldn’t ask the batters to apply themselves on such a wicket.
"This is a horrible record at home. We are playing with full fledged sides. Gambhir said this is the wicket we asked for but this is not the wicket you should be playing Test cricket on. The ball is turning from the first day. We are doing this for many years and not learning from the mistakes. Everything is wrong with this wicket. Even if I bowled stump to stump on this track I would get a wicket," he added.
"This is a crappy track. You cannot say that you need to apply yourselves on such a crappy track. If not one team is scoring more runs how can it be a good wicket? He is talking absurd things. Everybody is struggling. Both the teams were struggling. Whether he is under pressure or not, I don't know but India is under pressure now,” he concluded.
India will next lock horns with South Africa in the second and final Test of the two-match series, starting on Saturday, November 22, in Guwahati.
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“This is a crappy track” - Kris Srikkanth slams Gautam Gambhir for his ‘no demons’ comment on Eden Gardens pitch
Former India captain Kris Srikkanth delivered a blistering counter to Gautam Gambhir's pitch defense, stating bluntly, "This is a crappy track." Srikkanth dismissed Gambhir's claim that the pitch had "no demons" and criticized the team's failed strategy.
Former Indian selector Kris Srikkanth has lashed out at the Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir for his ‘no demons on the pitch’ comment after India’s 30-run defeat to South Africa in the first Test at the Eden Gardens on Sunday, November 16.
Speaking exclusively on his YouTube channel, Srikkanth asserted that the uneven bounce being offered on the Eden wicket made life tough for batters right from the opening day of the Test. Further, he slammed the Indian team management for persisting on such bad wickets at home.
"The point I don't understand is, Gambhir told there are no demons and you should show better technique and all that. How can you play on this kind of a wicket? So many batters tried to defend and got out at slip or lbw. Let's face it, this South Africa is not a strong batting line-up or a strong side. Why do you want to keep on persisting on these kind of bad wickets and then blame the technique of the players? That is not right. No matter who you are, how can you survive on this wicket? Bavuma did but that was just one player out of all," Kris Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel.
Additionally, Srikkanth reckoned that the Indian team shouldn’t play Test matches at home on such wickets moving forward, adding that the Indian team coach shouldn’t ask the batters to apply themselves on such a wicket.
"This is a horrible record at home. We are playing with full fledged sides. Gambhir said this is the wicket we asked for but this is not the wicket you should be playing Test cricket on. The ball is turning from the first day. We are doing this for many years and not learning from the mistakes. Everything is wrong with this wicket. Even if I bowled stump to stump on this track I would get a wicket," he added.
"This is a crappy track. You cannot say that you need to apply yourselves on such a crappy track. If not one team is scoring more runs how can it be a good wicket? He is talking absurd things. Everybody is struggling. Both the teams were struggling. Whether he is under pressure or not, I don't know but India is under pressure now,” he concluded.
India will next lock horns with South Africa in the second and final Test of the two-match series, starting on Saturday, November 22, in Guwahati.
Stay updated with the latest cricket news, match insights, and exclusive updates at BetBarter and download the BetBarter app to start betting today!