India Coach Criticizes Pitch Quality as West Indies Push Match to Day 4

During the ongoing third Test against the West Indies in Delhi, India’s assistant coach Ryan Ten Doeschate expressed concerns regarding the pitch quality as the match progresses into its fourth day. After the conclusion of the third day, Ten Doeschate highlighted that the pitch has become slower, making batting easier for the West Indies players.

Pitch Conditions Affecting Game Strategy

West Indies batters John Campbell and Shai Hope achieved half-centuries, navigating the Indian spinners effectively. Ten Doeschate noted, “We thought the wicket was going to keep deteriorating. It just seems to have slowed down even more.” He emphasized the challenge of maintaining bowling speed on a pitch that lacks pace.

Bowling Challenges Faced by Indian Spinners

• Spinners need to adjust their techniques for effective play.
• Ten Doeschate mentioned the need for bowlers to use “shoulder” to gain bounce and zip.
• He described how bowlers must balance speed and spin to induce mistakes from batters.

Ten Doeschate praised Campbell for his aggressive sweeping, as the batter scored an unbeaten 87. He acknowledged that Campbell’s technique offered tactical insights for future bowling strategies. Despite Kuldeep Yadav’s five wickets in the first innings, the decision to start the second innings with Ravindra Jadeja alongside Mohammed Siraj raised questions.

Bowling Decisions and Rationale

Ten Doeschate explained their logic: “The hardness of the ball suggested Kuldeep could extract spin. We opted for a finger spinner with the new ball to achieve better grip.” The choice was made between Shahbaz Ahmed and Jadeja, with captain Shubman Gill opting for Jadeja to lead the attack.

Impact of Umpiring Decisions

Kuldeep has yet to secure wickets in the second innings, but Ten Doeschate believes some umpiring decisions could have changed the dynamics. He pointed out that had certain decisions favored Kuldeep, the day might have turned out differently for India. “There were close calls; if we had converted a few, it would have been a much better day for us,” he remarked.

Rising Star: Dhruv Jurel

In the backdrop of Rishabh Pant’s injury, Dhruv Jurel has emerged as a bright spot for India, showcasing strong performances with a century and a total of 44 runs in the Test. Ten Doeschate noted Jurel’s growth and strategic approach: “We always knew he was a quality player. His contributions are valuable to the team’s culture.” The coach also appreciated the growing captaincy skills of Shubman Gill.

As the match approaches the fourth day, both teams will need to adapt to the changing conditions and strategize accordingly. The pitch’s impact on gameplay continues to be a pivotal factor as the series unfolds.