“Everyone keeps their mouth shut,” fired-up Rohit Sharma hits back at critics blaming Indian pitches after Test victory in Cape Town

Rohit Sharma wants ICC to start rating pitches based on what they see and not based on the countries.

“Everyone keeps their mouth shut,” fired-up Rohit Sharma hits back at critics blaming Indian pitches after Test victory in Cape Town

Rohit Sharma (Image via ESPNcricinfo)

The outrageous pitch at Cape Town’s Newlands Cricket Stadium was the reason behind the second Test getting wrapped up within two days between India and South Africa. Rohit Sharma and Co. were the ones who clinched the victory and ended the two-match Test series in a draw.

On Day 1 itself, South Africa batted twice. First, they got bundled out for 55 runs after choosing to bat first after Mohammed Siraj’s six-wicket haul. Lungi Ngidi’s three-wicket maiden over saw India lose six wickets without scoring a single run, getting bundled out for 153.

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Jasprit Bumrah’s six-wicket haul during South Africa’s second innings gave India a target of just 79 runs, which India scored easily and won the Test by seven wickets. Pitch became the talk of the town right from the first session on Day 1 and as the match got wrapped up in two days, Rohit did not miss the chance to hit back at those people who blamed Indian pitches.

Notably, the Indore pitch where a match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy was played last year was rated “average” by the International Cricket Council (ICC). The ICC also rated the Ahmedabad pitch “average” after the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup between India and Australia. Rohit expressed his displeasure at the ICC match referee for rating Ahmedabad pitch “average”. He wants ICC to start rating pitches based on what they see and “not based on the countries.”

I mean, we saw what happened in this match, how the pitch played and stuff like that. I honestly don't mind playing on pitches like this. As long as everyone keeps their mouth shut in India and doesn't talk too much about Indian pitches, honestly.
Rohit said at the post-match presentation

Rohit Sharma’s performance in Test series

In the first Test played at the SuperSport Park in Centurion, Rohit Sharma produced quite an ordinary performance. In the first innings, he got out for five runs from 14 balls from Kagiso Rabada’s delivery, while in the second innings, Rabada sent him packing for a duck.

Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma (Image via ESPNcricinfo)

In the second Test, Rohit was the second-highest run-scorer after Virat Kohli (46 off 59). He played 50 balls to score 39 runs with seven fours before he was dismissed by Nandre Burger. In the second innings, the 36-year-old remained unbeaten for 17 runs from 22 balls, which also had two fours.

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