The third test between India and Australia has seen concerns over the state of the pitch continue with India being bowled out for 109 in just over 33 overs on the first day.
The Holkar Stadium wicket has been strongly criticised by cricketing legends all over the world, and most are fuming at the state of the pitch.
Former Australian cricketer Michael Clarke described the pitch as "crap" while speaking on Sky Sports Radio, admitting that the pitch was going to get worse.
โWhat is this pitch we're playing on," Clarke said.
โFor me, it's the puff and dust that's being picked up from either the quicks or the spinners. It shows it's only going to get worse. It's like a Day 3 pitch on Day 1 in India.
โYou don't want to see that. India could have been bowled out for 70.โ
Fox Sports' Mark Waugh was also unhappy with the wear on the pitch for Day 1.
โThat was mayhem. The pitch is not up to Test standard. The ball going through the top within the first 20 minutes of the Test match. That's not good enough,โ Waugh said during the broadcast on Wednesday.
This is not a Test match pitch.#IndvsAus
— Greg Baum (@GregBaum) March 1, 2023
โIf the ball is going through the top in the first 20 minutes of a Test match off the main part of the pitch, that's going to show the pitch is not up to Test standard.
โThat's the main part of the pitch on middle stump. That's just not a pitch up to Test standard. That's not good enough. It doesn't matter how good a player you are, you're going to need to get luck.โ
The Australian's start Day 2 at 156/4, with Peter Handscomb and Cameron Green at the crease as the visitors try to put more pressure on India.
Despite the improved showing from Australia on Day 1, Matthew Hayden said the pitch wasn't up to standard for test cricket.
โThis is why I've got a problem with these conditions. There's no way in the world that a spin bowler should come on in the sixth over,โ Hayden said on Fox Cricket.
โ4.8 degrees, that's massive turn. That's the sort of turn you'd expect day three. You've got to give batters a chance โฆ Day one, day two should be about batting.
"it shouldn't be keeping low and turning a mile on day one.
โForget the result, don't worry about if Australia win or lose or India win or lose, it shouldn't be like that in Test match cricket."
Day two of the third Test between India and Australia begins at 3pm (AEST) on Thursday.
