Australia vs India: Sachin Tendulkar criticises Perth pitch rating

Former batting great Sachin Tendulkar echoed opinions that the rating given to the Perth pitch wasn’t right and that it shouldn’t have been rated ‘average’.

Match referee Ranjan Madhugalle had rated the pitch at the Optus Stadium in Perth as ‘average’ but Tendulkar criticised the judgement, saying that the pitch brought out the best from the bowlers and batsmen.

In a tweet on Sunday, he wrote, “Pitches play a crucial role, especially in Test cricket. In order to revive Test cricket and generate excitement, we need to provide more pitches like the one at Perth, where the skills of batsmen and bowlers are truly TESTed. This pitch was by no means “Average”.

Pitches play a crucial role, especially in Test cricket. In order to revive Test cricket and generate excitement, we need to provide more pitches like the one at Perth, where the skills of batsmen and bowlers are truly TESTed. This pitch was by no means “Average”.

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) December 23, 2018

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Former Australia and India cricketers Mitchell Johnson and Aakash Chopra differed on the judgement where the former argued that it was a good pitch. But Chopra had a different opinion to offer.

Inconsistent bounce use to happen a lot, the pitch is supposed to deteriorate. Is it any different to a pitch that spins a metre or more & stays low?

— Mitchell Johnson (@MitchJohnson398) December 21, 2018

Vihari bowled a bouncer on the ‘first day’ to dismiss a well set Harris. I rest my case ?? https://t.co/gELNtmLUuI

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) December 21, 2018

Australia paceman Mitchell Starc also was disappointed with the verdict given by the ICC.

“Just as a cricketing fan, it was a bit disappointing to see Perth pitch being rated average. I thought it was a fantastic battle between bat and ball, which is what you want in Test cricket,” he said.

“For example, playing in MCG last year was pretty docile and the pitch didn’t do anything. You want a contest between bat and ball so that’s going to keep Test cricket alive and get people into the game like in Perth. It was a fantastic battle there and I thought it was a great pitch,” added Starc.