IND vs ENG: Sourav Ganguly questions turning tracks for test matches in India

Former BCCI president Sourav Ganguly is not happy with India’s tactics of playing on rank turners at home.

Team India suffered a crushing defeat against England in the first of the five-match test series at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad. Indian batters could not apply themselves for a long innings on a dry surface in Hyderabad. Team India have lost a few test matches at home. England and Australia have challenged India’s strategy of playing test matches on rank turners. Now, former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly has come out in the open against India’s adapted strategy of playing test matches on rank turners.

Citing India’s firebrand talent in pace bowling, former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly questioned the need to play test matches on rank turners. Ganguly asked for playing in good wickets against every opposition. Sourav Ganguly was immensely impressed with India’s current pace attack and heaped praises for Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj and Mukesh Kumar.

Sourav Ganguly questions India’s strategy

Sourav Ganguly tweeted, “When I see Bumrah Sami Siraj Mukesh bowl. I wonder why do we need to prepare turning tracks in india. My conviction of playing on good wickets keeps getting stronger every game. They will get 20 wickets on any surface with Ashwin Jadeja Kuldeep and Axar.” Bumrah picked up six wickets against England in the first test in Hyderabad.

Sourav Ganguly also raised concerns over India’s batting deteriorating due to turning pitches being used in India for test matches. He added in his tweet, “Batting quality is dropping because of pitches (used in India) in last 6 to 7 years at home. Good wickets are a must. India will still win over 5 days.” When Sourav Ganguly was the Board of Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) president before Roger Binny, India also used the same turning wickets for test matches. 

Team India have lost four test matches at home since 1st January 2014, which is challenging to their invincible tag at home. Australia and England have won two matches each against India in India in the above-mentioned period. India’s last three losses at home came in the last three years. Indian pacers have done a terrific job while playing abroad, but their skills on old-school Indian pitches with reverse swing are yet to be tested.

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