Following India's recent 30-run home defeat to South Africa at Kolkata's Eden Gardens, veteran batsman Cheteshwar Pujara has issued a compelling critique of the team's pitch strategy. Pujara stressed that India must urgently reconsider preparing rank turners where Test matches frequently conclude within three days, arguing that such surfaces rely more on luck than genuine skill.
The Case Against Rank Turners
Pujara pinpointed a conscious shift in pitch preparation since 2020, which has led to an alarming trend of abbreviated matches. "When you start playing on rank turners, which India has done since 2020, a majority of the games, I would say 70 or 80% of the games have been played on a pitch where the result has been in three days," Pujara noted. He warned that on such extreme surfaces, fortune plays a disproportionate role, where a ball might kick off a length and hit the keeper's shoulder one moment, and the next, a shooter might trap a batsman LBW.
His prescription is not for flat, batting-friendly tracks, but for a more balanced approach. "A pitch slightly better than a rank turner" is what he advocates, one where a batsman's technique and temperament are truly tested. "You need to play on a pitch where you have a chance. You are giving yourself the best chance. If you are skilful, your skill should come out," Pujara emphasized, adding that a perfect pitch should reward hard work, allowing a well-set batsman to score a century.
Blueprint for an Ideal Test Pitch
Pujara laid out a clear vision for what constitutes a quality Test match pitch in India. He believes the game should follow a traditional cadence. "It's important that India plays on a pitch where the results are on Day Four, Day Five," he said. This ideal surface would be slightly better to bat on in the first innings, encouraging totals in the range of 300-350. As the game progresses into the third and fourth innings, the wear and tear would naturally assist spinners more, creating a challenging and compelling contest.
He expressed concern over the savagely low first-innings totals that have become common. "If 200 or 150 is a very good total, then I think that's the pitch where you don't normally (do well)," Pujara stated, highlighting the need for a better balance between bat and ball, especially at the start of the match.
Backing Skill Over Surface Assistance
Pujara firmly believes that India's spin bowlers are skilled enough to succeed without excessive help from the pitch. He urged the team management to back their bowlers' abilities on fairer surfaces. "Indian bowlers are so skilful that even if they play on a flat pitch, they will still be able to turn the ball, they will still be able to pick wickets. So, back your skills rather than just relying on the pitch," he asserted categorically.
This call for introspection comes in the wake of coach Gautam Gambhir's statement after the Kolkata loss that the pitch was exactly what the team had desired, and that he expected Indian batsmen to know how to play turn. Pujara's comments present a contrasting viewpoint, suggesting the current strategy is counterproductive.
Batting Lessons from a Collapse
Analyzing India's batting collapse against South Africa, where the team failed in both innings, Pujara pointed to South African captain Temba Bavuma as a template for success. He stressed that Indian batsmen lacked the necessary patience and defensive application against spin.
"You need to have a good defence. When you are defending, you need to defend in front of the pad," Pujara advised, referencing the spate of LBW and bowled dismissals. "Most of the dismissals have been LBW or bowled." He explained that a solid defense, which involves getting the bat in front of the pad, is the bedrock for frustrating bowlers.
Once a batsman is confident in his defense, he can then look to attack based on his strengths. "Temba played his sweep shot, which is his strength... When I was facing spin, I always used to use my feet, unsettle the spinner's length," Pujara recalled, suggesting that each batsman must find their own method to counter-attack, be it using their feet, playing the sweep, or hitting over the top.
Pujara concluded by calling for a thorough team discussion to rectify these mistakes. "After a loss, the important part is, you need to accept the mistake... How can we rectify this mistake? How can we get better in the next Test match?" He reiterated that the key takeaway from Bavuma's innings was the simple formula of defending well first, and then playing one's natural game.
