IND vs ENG: Joe Root feels decision regarding Motera pitch is for ICC to make

Having started the series on a positive note, with a win over the hosts in the opening Test at the Chepauk, in Chennai, England’s game has deteriorated massively since then, with them 1-2 down in the series now. While it was expected that the pink-ball Test at the newly built Narendra Modi Stadium would be […]
 
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IND vs ENG: Joe Root feels decision regarding Motera pitch is for ICC to make

Having started the series on a positive note, with a win over the hosts in the opening Test at the Chepauk, in Chennai, England’s game has deteriorated massively since then, with them 1-2 down in the series now.

While it was expected that the pink-ball Test at the newly built Narendra Modi Stadium would be competitive, it turned out to be a one-sided affair after all, with the match ending before the end of the second day’s play. Indian spinners made merry on a pitch that was tailor-made for their trade, dismissing the visitors for scores of 112 and 81, with them winning the match by 10 wickets.

Also read: Virat Kohli – Quality Of Batting From Both Sides Were Not Up To The Mark

The English batsmen were unable to read the Indian bowlers as they succumbed to the spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Axar Patel, with the latter claiming 11 wickets in the match. Following the defeat, visiting skipper Joe Root spoke along the lines that there should always be a home advantage factor, but the decision regarding the Motera pitch is for the ICC to make.

“The decision is there for the ICC to make,” said the batsman after the Third Test concluded.

IND vs ENG: Joe Root feels decision regarding Motera pitch is for ICC to make

“That’s a very good question and it’s a tricky one to answer (whether the pitch was up to Test match standard). I think that this surface is a very challenging one, a very difficult one to play on. It’s not for players to decide if it’s fit for purpose. That’s up to the ICC. As players we have to try to counter it as best we can,” added Root.

It’s a real shame for the fantastic ‘Motera’ stadium, claims Joe Root

Not every day do cricketers get an opportunity to play in front of such a huge stadium, with a capacity of 1, 10,000, but the fans were expecting a bit of a contest as certainly not a two-day game. Joe Root feels it was a real shame for the majestic stadium and people that turned up.

“It’s a real shame because it’s a fantastic stadium, 40,000 people have come to watch a brilliant, iconic Test match and I feel for them. They came to watch Virat Kohli face Jimmy Anderson, Stuart Broad, Jack Leach and Ravichandran Ashwin against our top batsmen like Ben Stokes,” expressed Root.

“I almost feel like they’ve been robbed. Instead, they had to watch me get wickets on there which shouldn’t be the case. That’s a frustration for a lot of people. The fact is it was challenging for both teams and credit to India, they outplayed us on that wicket,” he added.