Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar and former England captain Kevin Pietersen argued in the commentary box about too much spin during the IND vs ENG first Test at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Hyderabad. Sunil Gavaskar and Kevin Pietersen are commentators in the ongoing first Test between India and England.
While Kevin Pietersen felt that the ball should not spin too much on day one, Sunil Gavaskar told him that one should expect the ball to spin from day 1 as the Tests are being played in India. The two argued for a bit before closing the debate with a laugh.
Spinners received a lot of attention during the first Test between India and England in Hyderabad. Indian spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin bagged 3 wickets each in the first innings. Axar Patel also got 2 wickets. Similarly, England spinner Joe Root took 4 scalps, while Tom Hartley and Rehan Ahmed took 2 wickets each. Jack Leach got 1 wicket in the first innings.
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Sunil Gavaskar and Kevin Pietersen argue in the commentary box on Hyderabad Wicket
During commentary in the first Test of India vs England, Sunil Gavaskar and Kevin Pietersen argued on the Hyderabad ground. Kevin Pietersen felt that the wicket should not turn too much on Day 1.
Sunil Gavaskar responded that England batsmen used poor techniques. He also said that Indian stadiums can witness the effects from day 1 itself. Check out the full conversation below.
Kevin Pietersen: “Look how Jadeja’s first two deliveries turned out. That’s day 1 of a test match. “The ball shouldn’t spin that much.”
Sunil Gavaskar: “It’s not like the ball is spinning and bouncing, look at the dismissals. Crawly trapped at mid-wicket, Root outside sweeping. “All the other hitters… the technique wasn’t good.”
“It didn’t spin or bounce as much. When you play Test cricket and come to India, you have to expect the ball to spin from day 1. You can’t expect the ball to go straight.”
Kevin Pietersen: “Of course, it is expected to rotate. The difference between the two teams has been the amount of spin that the spinners from both sides have achieved.”
Also Read: Watch: Axar Patel rattles Ben Foakes’ stumps with a low delivery
Meanwhile, England finished on 316-6 in the second innings of the first India vs England Test on stumps on Day 3. Earlier, India amassed 436-10 in the first innings. England were behind by 190 runs. Ollie Pope smashed an impressive ton in the second innings to take England into a dominant position.
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Ben Stokes scored a half-century in the first innings. For India, Ravindra Jadeja, Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul reached fifties in the first innings. Therefore, the Hyderabad wicket has also helped the batsmen. Earlier, Ben Stokes won the toss and decided to bat first.