The India-England Test series is on the verge of its conclusion with the Virat Kohli-led hosts having an unassailable 2-1 lead in the four-match series. While the first Test saw a flat surface on offer, the match ended on the fifth day with England enjoying a humongous 227-run win.
From thereon, it has all been about India’s recovery and dominance. The home side wrapped up the proceedings in the second Test on Day 4 whereas it took them only two days to emerge on top of the third and penultimate Test, a day-night affair, and go 2-1 up.
Former England cricketer-turned-commentator David Lloyd blasted the pitches on offer and wrote for the Daily Mail recently, “I gave this pitch the benefit of the doubt on the first day but, I’m sorry, it was just as bad as the last one. And the big question has to be asked again of the ICC. Is this how you want the game to go? Tests finishing well under time, this one not even lasting two days? We need answers from Dubai but I’m not expecting to get a single one.”
“But it told you everything you need to know that instead of that second spinner a part-timer in Joe Root took five wickets in six overs! I remember Allan Border once taking a seven-for with part-time spin. And Michael Clarke grabbed a six-for. When part-timers do that something isn’t right. Even I would have got wickets on that pitch and I was hopeless,” concluded Lloyd.
