Australia suffered a humiliating loss against India in the first match of the 4-match Test series in Nagpur. Following their horrific loss of an innings and 132 runs, the visitors came out with a plan to practice on the central wicket in Nagpur after the match concluded within just three days. However, they were disappointed after finding the pitch watered by the ground staff.
The incident has left former Australia great Ian Healy fuming. Healy has termed this act by India as ‘pathetic’.
“It’s really embarrassing. They foiled our plans to get some practice sessions on that Nagpur wicket. That is not good, that’s just not good for cricket. For them to water the wicket unceremoniously when it was requested for practice is horrible and that has to improve,” said Healy during an interview.
Healy also urged the International Cricket Council (ICC) to step in and take appropriate action.
“The incident is really pathetic. ICC should step in and take appropriate action in this regard,” Healy added.
Notably, there was much hype around Nagpur pitch even before the start of the series with several former Australian cricketers and experts alleging that hosts India have doctored the pitch to make it spin-conducive and suitable for them. Not much seems to have changed even after the conclusion of the match.
While India went on to put in a huge total of 400 runs in the first innings, Australia couldn’t even manage to get near the target in two innings.