Rohit Sharma Slams Pitch Critics, Asks Refs to “Open Eyes and Ears”

Rohit Sharma Slams Pitch Critics, Asks Refs to “Open Eyes and Ears”

There is a catch: India skipper Rohit Sharma “doesn’t mind” playing on surfaces similar to the one in Cape Town, where the fastest-ever Test result was attained. In light of the events at Newlands, he wishes for the people who criticize Indian pitches to simply “shut up.”

“Everyone witnessed the events of this Test match as well as the pitch’s behavior. As long as people in India keep their mouths shut and don’t discuss Indian wickets, I don’t mind playing on surfaces like these,” Rohit remarked during India’s seven-wicket victory at Newlands, where the visitors needed just 107 overs and just more than four sessions to tie the series.

“Your goal in coming here is to push yourself. It is risky, for sure, but it’s also difficult. It is difficult for visitors to India as well. We talk about Test cricket being the ultimate prize, the pinnacle, and everything when you’re here to play the game. We likewise support it. When faced with such a challenge, you rise to the occasion. That is the situation in India, but as soon as the pitch begins to turn on Day 1, people there begin to say things like, “Puff of dust, puff of dust, there are so many cracks on the pitch.” It’s critical that we maintain our objectivity wherever we go.”

Rohit urged the ICC to be “neutral” when it comes to pitch rating, pointing out how unsettling and different the story is when the pitch begins taking turns on Day 1 in India.

To be honest, I’d like to see the ratings for the pitches. Centurion, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Cape Town are all very different. There are variations in the overhead conditions. When the sun is hammering down on the pitch so forcefully, the pitches deteriorate quickly. We also know that the pitch will spin due to the circumstances in India. However, Rohit noted that the pitch spins from Day 1 and that’s why many don’t like it.

“Everyone will be okay if the ball seams from ball 1. It’s not just like that. It should be alright if the ball starts spinning from ball 1. If not, you remain impartial and begin to assign these pitches a low rating as well. I think it’s completely incorrect if you want the ball to only seam and not turn. That’s my assessment, and I’ll stand by it. I’ve had enough cricket, enough of the way the ICC and match officials evaluate these ratings. I don’t mind how you rank as long as you remain impartial.”

The Ahmedabad World Cup final pitch’s rating as “below average” surprised Rohit, who also asked the match officials to keep their “Open Eyes and Ears.”

He further addressed the role of match referees in pitch ratings, emphasizing the need for careful assessment before passing judgment. “These referees need to keep their eyes and ears open,” Rohit asserted. “They should spend time observing the game, not just rely on reports or hearsay. It’s important to understand the context and local conditions before making pronouncements.”

“A few of these match referees have to be mindful about the pitches they rate. The World Cup final pitch’s “below average” rating still shocks me. There, a batsman scored a hundred. How could that pitch be bad? Pitch ratings should be based on what referees perceive, not on nationality, according to the ICC and match officials. That is crucial. I hope kids pay attention to those facets of the game and keep their ears and eyes open.

“We want to challenge ourselves playing on pitches like these, and we take pride in playing on pitches like these, so I’m all for them. But be impartial is all I have to say.”

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