India has lost the Test Match that too in a humiliating manner. None would have expected this till India were bundled out for 76 in the first day. Even then, all would have thought that we will lose the match on the final day. Salt was rubbed on our wounds when two of the Proteases scored hundreds.

India is notorious for its inconsistency. It has a star-studded team however, the instances of all the stars performing together is pretty rare. All the Indian pitches are belters and the batsmen will have enough time to hit the ball all around the ground. Under such circumstances, it is the openers’ responsibilities to take care that the dew (whatever remains) is taken off and it becomes a batting-paradise for the team to follow.

A team bundling out within 20 overs is a matter of shame. Of late, this is happening at decent intervals. Earlier, we were bundled out for 66 runs against South Africa, it happened in Caribbean islands. Till the time I followed cricket (say up to 1987), the only low score match was 42 against England where Chris Old and Arnold literally bundled us out.

Happened is happened. The media that went gaga over the triple ton of Sehwag (irony is he was compared to Lara and Donald Bradman and SMS contests were held) literally scrubbed the nose of the Indian team after their buckle. I do agree that media has to appreciate and suggest but going over-board on both the occasions would make them lose their credibility.

Immediately after the bundling, Harbhajan Singh commented on the basis of the pitch and recommended for Spin-oriented pitches. The excuse they take is “Play to your strength. Every country is preparing pitches according to their strength and why not we do so?” Ajit Wadekar (under whom the notorious 42 all out had happened) initiated such practice and Azharuddin became the most successful captain of India and Indians were labeled as tigers at home and rats outside. This practice had blunted the talents of all our players and we lost most of them unknowingly.

Similar thing happened to hockey (by playing only on grass and not on turf) led us to be out of the Olympic race. However, we are not learning even now. Kumble immediately contacted the curator of Green Park and recommended spin-assisting pitch. The selection of team confirms this. Piyush Chawla and Ramesh Powar (who was long forgotten) got a call and included in the team.

One cannot say, Indians might win the match at Green Park and take a sweet revenge. Both the cricketing boards are happy because each team won a match the money is shared. If India loses, the profits would shrink. Why to lose money? Let us prepare pitches as to make a fool of cricket lovers, fool of themselves, fool of cricket. All they want money.

In which way preparing a pitch assisting local players is different from match-fixing?
If the umpires can be neutral, why cant the venues be?
Why cant the curators of the pitches be neutral?

Will the ICC listen to this if they are really interested in promoting cricket? If they want to promote business in the name of cricket let the present system continue.