I want pitches to turn from first day - Dhoni

[Karan114]

I want pitches to turn from first day - Dhoni N Hunter November 26, 2011 After a stirring final day's play in Mumbai during which 17 wickets fell, 14 of which were bagged by spinners from both sides, India captain MS Dhoni has asked for Test pitches across the country that will take the kind of turn witnessed today at the Wankhede right from day one. Such pitches, he said, could only ensure better quality contests and make the toss less relevant. "What I would like to see [in Tests in India], played out on fifth-day wicket [in Mumbai]; I want the pitches to turn from the very first day," Dhoni said, expressing surprise at the ample turn and bounce offered on the final day. "It sets off a bit of panic in the opposition's dressing room and, at the same time, you [india] are under pressure to perform as well. That what makes it interesting." In contrast to the first four days when 1153 runs were scored for the fall of 22 wickets, the final day's play witnessed the same ebb and flow all great Test matches became memorable for. A combination of expert spin bowling from Pragyan Ojha and R Ashwin and senseless batting from West Indies' middle order resulted in a collapse in which eight wickets went down for just 53 runs. A target of 243 from a maximum of 64 overs was never out of reach for India, especially with Virender Sehwag in the ranks. Sehwag, aided by three lives, set the tempo and by the time he departed India were in a comfortable position. However, with the pitch taking ample turn, Marlon Samuels bowled his off breaks in a marathon 25-over spell from the North Stand end, while Devendra Bishoo bowled tight lines from the Pavilion End, hardly giving any free hits. Subsequently, from a position of authority, India were forced to concede control to the visitors, who kept their wits intact all through. Off the final over, India needed three runs, West Indies two wickets. Eventually India got two runs off a fabulous Fidel Edwards over, in which he stuck to a straight line. "Frankly, I really don't what happened [to the pitch]. It started to turn in the morning," Dhoni said. "Till yesterday, everything was fine. It was among the flattest of wickets. Something happened in the morning and it started to turn. Most people thought it will be a draw, but it turned into a close game." On flat pitches, like the ones on offer in Delhi and Kolkata, and for the first four days at the Wankhede, a team that loses the toss cannot do much to run through the opposition, Dhoni said. "I think if you see the first three or four days [in Mumbai], losing the toss doesn't really help. I don't know when was the last time we played on a wicket that was really turning square [from day one]. "The last time [it came close to an outright turner] was when we played at CCI [brabourne Stadium, against Sri Lanka in 2009]. Then it was turning, but that was in the morning session. There was bounce also for the spinners, but as the game progressed there was not much even there. I am hoping that we [indian grounds] stick to our kind of wickets that turn from the first day, which doesn't make the toss very important." Darren Sammy, West Indies' captain, said he was not as surprised by the different nature of the pitch today. "It did bounce and turn more than on all the previous four days, but it was nothing that we shouldn't have been able to handle," Sammy said. http://www.espncricinfo.com/india-v-west-indies-2011/content/story/542236.html

[Ultimate_Game]

:two_thumbs_up: I hope we get such kind of pitches when Eng tours India next year

[zen]

Didn't go through the post but yeah we need pitches that turn and bounce .... it's part of the experience the visiting team is suppose to have when the tour India, i.e. good hospitality, spicy food, turning pitches with good spinners bowling, etc

[carnish]

Dhoni's logics are fantastic... thats why i love listening to him everytime... atleast like other stupid seniors players he doesnot say that india should prepare sporting tracks(ideal test match pitch crap) while others will prepare green tops when we go abroad... love u mahiii

[achilles]

He's really rubbing salt into the wounds here.

[Sachinism]

YES gwaan Dhoni. Tell em. 5 day matches are too long. A pitch shouldn't allow to last more than 2 sessions :yay: Sent from my Desire HD using Tapatalk

[phaedrus]

Didn't go through the post but yeah we need pitches that turn and bounce .... it's part of the experience the visiting team is suppose to have when the tour India' date=' i.e. good hospitality,[b'] spicy food, turning pitches with good spinners bowling, etc

:giggle:

[Lord]

I guess he is just trying to defend Ashwin for his pitch criticism

[cowboysfan]

I dont think we have curators who are smart enough to prepare a pitch that turns from day 1 and not get in trouble with icc.

[phaedrus]

I guess he is just trying to defend Ashwin for his pitch criticism

in that case, good. stick your neck out for your teammates i say.

[Ultimate_Game]

I dont think we have curators who are smart enough to prepare a pitch that turns from day 1 and not get in trouble with icc.

Not curators' job to defend themselves in front of ICC. It's BCCI's job to do so. Let BCCI defend the curators as long as we get to see turning tracks for the Eng tour.

[zen]

to the experience also add: deafening noise at stadiums and heat this should give a perfect Indian experience to teams like Eng :--D

[phaedrus]

heat, inside and out

[zen]

heat' date=' inside and out[/quote'] ac switched off may be even the water running hot in the washrooms :P

[Lord]

ac switched off may be even the water running hot in the washrooms :P

n Virat n Gauti at bat-pad exchanging pleasantries with batsmen:--D

[Ultimate_Game]

Turning tracks would be sufficient enough to win the series comfortably

[zen]

Turning tracks would be sufficient enough to win the series comfortably

we are talking abt providing the perfect Indian experience to guests like the eng team so they can proudly say 'we went to Ind' .... we will probably win 1-0 even if the tracks are flatish

[nballa]

but who will bat for you then dhoni? only by-runners are allowed no by-batters.

[saneindian]

MSD wants us to go bac kto the days of the spin triokas - Bhajji, Ashwin and Ojha :P His way of giving Bhajji's career a lifeline.

[zen]

n Virat n Gauti at bat-pad exchanging pleasantries with batsmen:--D

and the crowd booing those fielding at the boundary :D