‘Death of Test cricket?’: India legend’s ‘double standards’ pitch jab after 19-wicket Ashes carnage
Several former India stars have blasted the perceived ‘double standards’ of the commentary around their pitches in comparison to Australia’s.
19 wickets were lost in Day 1 of the Ashes Test at Perth’s Optus Stadium, a week after 15 wickets fell in the opening day’s play between India and South Africa at Eden Gardens.
Watch The Ashes 2025/26 LIVE and ad-break free during play with FOX CRICKET on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.
DAY 2 LIVE: FOLLOW SATURDAY’S ACTION HERE
The Kolkata wicket copped its fair share of criticism in the aftermath as spinners claimed nine of the 15 wickets on Day 1 of that Test match.
A couple of Indian cricketing legends in Irfan Pathan and Harbhajan Singh were the loudest critics of the pitch, with Harbhajan calling it a “mockery of test cricket” on social media site X.
A week later, England and Australia combined for 19 wickets in Perth – the most on the first day of an Ashes Test in 116 years.
Indian cricket journalist Subhayan Chakraborty took a dig at Harbhajan’s social media post.
Former cricketing stars Ravichandran Ashwin and Dinesh Karthik also posted on X, with Ashwin’s post accompanied by a GIF that read ‘*Coughs* Double Standards’.
Ashwin questioned what the fallout will be if a stack of wickets fall on the first day of the second Test between India and South Africa which gets underway in Guwahati on Saturday.
Watch South Africa’s Tour of India: Every Test, ODI & T20 match LIVE & EXCLUSIVE on FOX CRICKET, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.
Cricket broadcaster and former player Aakash Chopra was also critical of what he believed was a difference in commentary between the two pitches.
Chopra said that 19 wickets on an subcontinental pitch “would’ve meant the death of Test cricket”.
Australian pacer Mitch Starc, who terrorised the England attack with career-best figures of 7/58, dismissed the state of the Perth pitch as the reason for high volume of wickets.
“I think we often sit here and say it’s the wicket or the batting but I think both teams bowled really well,” Starc said at the end of Day 1.
“England wanted to take the game on by beaing aggressive which creates opportunity and I thought we bowled quite well.
“I’m sure both teams want to change the way they approach their batting (in the second innings) but sometimes you can sit there and say it was pretty good bowling from both teams.”
Aus v England: Test 1, Day 1 Highlights | 14:38
READ MORE
TALKING POINTS: How Smith selection jab came back to bite
‘CAREER-DEFINING’: Starc goes ‘next level’ in best-ever spell
‘DEPLORABLE’: Bizarre debut moment that sparked collapse
‘BEYOND A JOKE’: Reason for unthinkable Khawaja situation
