Alastair Cook, England’s leading run-getter in the longest format, has said that watching the pink-ball Test between India and England was “tough” to watch because of the “big influence” of the pitch.
The former Three Lions captain added that India deserved to win as they are the better side in subcontinent conditions but “there was something that doesn’t quite sit right”.
“It doesn’t look great when India win by 10 wickets because it was a lot closer than that actually.
“India deserved the win. Obviously they are better in those conditions, but it was a tough Test match to watch. The pitch had such a big influence on that.
“That was so hard playing against spin today. India lost seven for 40 when the pressure was on, England were all out for 80. That is incredibly hard to bat against.
“I was sitting here thinking how would I have played against certain balls, what game plan. I can’t work out a low-risk strategy that would have been successful – unless you have a lot of luck.
“I don’t like that on day two. On day four I’d have no problem. People can say that’s sour grapes.
“The better side won, and that’s fair play to India, but there’s something that doesn’t quite sit right,” Cook said on Channel 4.
Notably, 30 wickets fell inside 2 days as India won the match by 10 wickets in the early minutes of the final session on Thursday.
India captain Virat Kohli defended the pitch saying that batsmen from both the teams did not apply themselves properly.
“Look at Joe Root for a moment. We know he is a great player of spin,” Strauss said. “He is in great form as well. What did he get – 19 today? Might have been out two or three times en route to getting that score.
“And by the way, that’s day two of a Test match. To say the pitch has no fault to play, I totally agree with Cooky. Kohli’s looking after the groundsmen there to a certain degree.”
