Border-Gavaskar Trophy: Mockery of Test cricket, says Dilip Vengsarkar on wicked nature of Indore track

Former India cricketer Dilip Vengsarkar slammed the Indore track used for the third Test between India and Australia, saying nobody wants to see bowlers dominating the batters from the first session itself.

Australia spinners caused havoc on India as the hosts were bundled out for just 109 shortly after lunch on the first day at Holkar Cricket Stadium.

Vengsarkar said that the pitch should have even bounce to give equal opportunity to both batters and bowlers and if it does not, then it leads to “mockery of Test cricket”.

“The pitch makes all the difference if you want to watch good cricket. You must have wickets with even bounce so that both batters and bowlers get equal opportunity. If the ball turns from day one and first session itself and that too with uneven bounce, it makes a mockery of Test cricket,” Vengsarkar told PTI.

The former cricketer added that people watch Test cricket only if it is interesting, like in England and Australia.

“It is important to get crowds back for Test cricket. You see that in England and Australia but unfortunately it is not happening in India. People will come back to Test cricket only if it is interesting. Nobody wants to see bowlers dominating the batters from first session itself.”

Matthew Kuhnemann picked up his maiden five-wicket haul, while Nathan Lyon returned with three wickets on Wednesday, March 1.

In reply, Ravindra Jadeja struck to remove Travis Head early on. Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne rebuild Australia’s innings with their 96-run partnership for the second wicket. Jadeja kept on giving the much-needed breakthroughs as he picked four wickets but India exhausted their reviews on the first day itself.

Australia at 156/4 will resume their innings with a lead of 47 runs on Day 2.