Rohit defends Chepauk pitch, says every team has right to take home advantage

Ahmedabad, February 21

India’s limited overs vice-captain Rohit Sharma on Sunday defended the much-criticised Chepauk pitch used for the second Test against England, saying creating favourable tracks for home advantage is not a new phenomenon for a cricketing nation.

The Chepauk pitch came under the scanner for the vicious turn it offered from day one, with the likes of Michael Vaughan and Mark Waugh criticising the groundsmen for producing what they referred to as a “minefield”.

But Rohit disagreed.

“...The pitch is the same for both the teams, so I don’t know why this topic is raised every time. Both the teams play on the same pitch. People say pitches shouldn’t be like this or that but for years Indian pitches are made like this only,” Rohit said during a virtual press conference ahead of the third Test.

“I don’t think there needs to be any changes. Every team takes advantage of their home conditions.”      India hammered England by 317 runs to level the series 1-1.

“When we go out, other countries don’t think about us, so why should we think about others. We should make pitches according to the preference of our team. This is what it means home and away advantage, otherwise this should be taken out. Tell ICC to make a rule that pitches should be prepared the same everywhere.

“When we go outside, our opponents too make our life difficult. So I don’t think we should talk much about pitches. We should talk about the game, the players,” he added.

Rohit, who hit a dazzling 161 in the second Test in Chennai, said he hardly bothers about type of pitches while batting.

“I don’t think much about pithes. If you think too much about it, the pitch won’t change. So the focus should be on how to play on the given pitch, what technique is needed.”  

“We need to prepare our mind according to the pitch,” he said.

Rohit expects a Chepauk type of wicket at the newly-built Sardar Patel Gujarat Stadium here during the pink ball Test.

“I don’t see anything changing in the pitch from what we played in the second Test. It’s more or less going to be on the same page. It’s going to be turning as well and we are preparing according to that,” he said.

The four-match Test series between India and England is currently tied at 1-1. The third Test begins here on Wednesday. — PTI

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