Former England star pacer takes indirect dig at India for preparing spin-friendly pitch for Ranchi Test

By the end of the 2nd day’s play of the 4th test, England have managed to put the mighty Indian team on the back foot at their home turf. India are reeling at 219 for 7, courtesy of a sensational display of bowling by Shoaib Bashir who scalped 4 out of the 7 wickets that fell on Day 2. 

At one point India were in an even more precarious position with the scorecard displaying 177-7 but a crucial 42-run partnership between Dhruv Jurel and Kuldeep Yadav gave India some respite before the end of the day’s play. 

England’s former pacer Stuart Broad who has taken 604 wickets in Tests has criticized the Ranchi pitch to be a substandard one. He took an indirect dig and the pitch by expressing surprise over India’s tactics to choose such a wicket for the 4th test that makes toss a deciding factor and also brings in England’s inexperienced spin bowlers into play.

Stuart took to social media to express his views on the ongoing test. He tweeted, “I mainly tweet about England- but looking at India. They're an amazing team on flat Test pitches in India where their spinner's skill comes into it & they outbowl other teams. Playing on pitches that roll along the floor brings in the opposition so much more. I can't understand why they've prepared a pitch like this?"

I mainly tweet about England- but looking at India. They’re an amazing team on flat Test pitches in India where their spinners skill comes into it & they out bowl other teams. Playing on pitches that roll along the floor brings in the opposition so much more. I can’t understand…

— Stuart Broad (@StuartBroad8) February 24, 2024

He further questions India’s decision to rest Bumrah in the ongoing test by terming it as something beyond his understanding. Broad tweeted, “Haven't seen much of this Test match as of yet, just click on now. England is massively on top. Spinners bowling accurately, uneven bounce. Cracks. Bowlers dream. 350 looks 100 above par. Toss in this series seems crucial. Bat first, dominate the game. Bumrah 'rested'- can't understand it. 8 overs in his last innings. Handed initiative back to England."

Haven’t seen much of this Test match as of yet, just clicked on now. England massively on top. Spinners bowling accurately, uneven bounce. Cracks. Bowlers dream. 350 looks 100 above par. Toss in this series seems crucial. Bat first, dominate the game. Bumrah ‘rested’- can’t…

— Stuart Broad (@StuartBroad8) February 24, 2024

Shoaib Bashir turned out to be India’s nemesis at Ranchi

Shoaib Bashir who is just playing in his 2nd test proved to be the pick of the bowlers for England by picking 4 out of the 7 Indian wickets that fell in the day. Bashir with his accuracy and precise length made full use of the cracks and uneven bounce of the Ranchi wicket. Indian batters could not judge the length of the off-spinner on a difficult pitch which has again put the technique of Indian batters against spin on spin-friendly wickets.