Breaking News
1. AI breakthrough in breast cancer detection: New study claims over 17% improvement in screening accuracy      2. Inflows into equity mutual funds jump 14.5% to Rs 41,156 crore in December: AMFI      3. ONGC expects additional revenue of up to $10.3 billion from BP’s intervention in Mumbai High field      4. Pravasi Bharatiya Divas LIVE: India will fulfill world’s demand for skilled talent, says PM Modi      5. India-Taliban talks: Region in flux and 5 reasons behind Delhi’s decision to engage Kabul      6. California wildfire: Burning Los Angeles looks ‘apocalyptic’ in scary visuals      7. Tirupati stampede: Andhra Pradesh government announces ex-gratia of ₹25 lakh to next of kin of deceased      8. Massive fire at Varanasi railway station parking, over 200 vehicles gutted      9. First Sambhal, Then Ajmer: Ex-CJI Chandrachud Under Fire For ‘Opening Floodgates’ Of Survey Pleas      10. Chennai Airport Shut, Trains Hit As Cyclone Fengal Intensifies      11. 2nd Hindu Priest Arrested In Bangladesh Amid Protests: ISKCON Member      12. Man climbs mobile tower in Kota, threatens suicide over his tractor seizure      13. Body of 2-year-old, his grandmother recovered from river in Manipur      14. Bodies of six abducted in Jiribam found; Kerala CM and UDF leaders argue over BJP defection      15. Several flights, trains disrupted as Delhi covered in smog, visibility down      16. Delhi air quality: AQI at this Delhi station above 1500      17. Pawan Kalyan condemns deaths of 2 Hindu girls in Pakistan who faced ‘atrocities’      18. India not to travel to Pakistan for Champions Trophy, wants its matches in Dubai      19. India not to travel to Pakistan for Champions Trophy, wants its matches in Dubai      20. Samosas, cakes meant for Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhu served to his security staff instead; CID probe on     

Rahul Dravid Criticizes ICC's Pitch Ratings, Emphasizes Balanced Cricket

  • Posted on October 22, 2023
  • Sports
  • By Arijit Dutta
  • 338 Views

In a recent development, Indian head coach Rahul Dravid has expressed his displeasure with the International Cricket Council (ICC) over their 'average' pitch ratings for matches at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai and the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The matches in question were played by the Indian cricket team against Australia and Pakistan.

Rahul Dravid Criticizes ICC's Pitch Ratings, Emphasizes Balanced Cricket Image Source -www.espncricinfo.com

In a recent development, Indian head coach Rahul Dravid has expressed his displeasure with the International Cricket Council (ICC) over their 'average' pitch ratings for matches at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai and the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The matches in question were played by the Indian cricket team against Australia and Pakistan.

Addressing the media before India's clash with New Zealand in Dharamshala, Dravid firmly voiced his disagreement with the ICC's assessment. He argued against the inclination towards producing exclusively batting-friendly pitches that lead to high-scoring games, often exceeding 350 runs.

"If you want to only witness 350-run matches and label those pitches as good, then I beg to differ. We need to appreciate a variety of skills in cricket, not just fours and sixes. T20 cricket serves that purpose. Why do we need anything else?" Dravid questioned.

He went on to challenge the practice of deeming pitches as average when they offer assistance to the bowlers, citing the importance of their role in the game. Dravid's passionate stance marked a departure from his typically composed demeanor during media interactions.

Dravid emphasized that cricket's beauty lies in its diversity, with matches played on a variety of surfaces throughout the country. He praised the skills of spinners like Ravindra Jadeja, Mitchell Santner, and Adam Zampa, highlighting their contributions to the ongoing tournament.

Also Read: Canadian Prime Minister Addresses Diplomatic Strain With India, Raises Concerns About Impact On Millions

The Indian head coach also stressed the significance of middle-order rotation, exemplified by players like Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson, and KL Rahul. He pointed out that such skills are integral to One Day International (ODI) cricket, and they have shone in the ongoing World Cup.

Dravid further commented, "Appreciating the art of watching Ravindra Jadeja, Mitchell Santner, and Adam Zampa bowl, or observing Kane Williamson's skill in rotating the strike, and the prowess of Virat Kohli and KL Rahul while batting against Australia - these are essential cricketing skills. Dismissing a spinner's performance as average simply because one or two balls spin differently is a view I disagree with."

 The coach's statements have sparked a discussion on the evaluation criteria for pitches and the need for a more comprehensive assessment that values a broader range of skills in the game.

Author
No Image
Author
Arijit Dutta

You May Also Like