Is Team India playing on rank turner pitches for WTC Points? Cheteshwar Pujara’s statement created a ruckus
Indian cricketer Cheteshwar Pujara recently retired from international cricket and has given a statement after his retirement, after which fans on social media have been divided into two groups. Pujara says that Indian team The World Test Championship Points is playing on the rank turner pitches and the same team also had to bear the brunt of the same year.
Pujara admitted that these pitches were deliberately prepared to ensure results during the Test Championship cycle, but said that the step has proved to be upside down. Despite spin -friendly conditions in the last World Test Championship cycle, India’s stakes turned upside down and the team failed to qualify for the final after a continuous defeat. The biggest shock came in October 2024, when India was whitewashed by New Zealand 0–3 at home ground. This was India’s first Test series defeat on domestic soil since 2012.
Pujara said during a conversation with India Today, “I think it had a profound impact on Indian batting and overall Test cricket. Such pitch was prepared due to the World Test Championship, where the teams wanted the results from every match. But I don’t think it was ideal for Test cricket. I would have understood that all the people would have understood that when you prepare such pitch, I would have understood that when you prepare the batsman. Luck is required. You are forced to play bravely and try to make 40, 50 or 60 runs quickly. “
Pujara further said, “I think things are changing now. Most of the teams are playing on better pitches and I hope India will continue to do the same. I am not saying that the ball should not be turned, it should not happen but the match should not end in three or three and a half days. Ideally, we should play on good pitch where the match lasts for the fourth or fifth day.”
