Ashwin Fires Back At Pitch Critics After 19-Wicket Day In Ashes Opener: ‘What If The Same…’ | Cricket News

Ravichandran Ashwin retired from Tests in December. (Picture Credit: Sportzpics)

Former India cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has slammed the critics who took a dig at the Eden Gardens pitch, which saw the first Test between India and South Africa end in less than three days, questioning them on the absence of a similar criticism when 19 wickets fell on Day 1 of the Perth Test of the Ashes.

The Eden Gardens pitch drew sharp criticism earlier this month after 15 wickets fell on Day 1 and the game ended inside three days, with India not being able to chase a modest 124 in the final innings.

Former cricketers, including ex-England skipper Michael Vaughan, who called the track ‘awful’, accused India of producing pitches that turned too early and tilted the contest in favour of spinners.

Ashwin, observing the chaos at the Perth Test, pointed out that similar criticism would be absent this time, even though the collapse unfolded in conditions far harsher than anything in the subcontinent.

“Only 19 wickets fell at Perth today, but an excellent day’s cricket. Oh no! What if the same happens tomorrow in Guwahati?” Ashwin questioned. 

A rampant Mitchell Starc tore through England with figures of 7/58, leaving them reeling after England skipper Ben Stokes won the toss on a bright morning at a packed Perth Stadium and opted to bat.

Star batter Harry Brook (52) and Ollie Pope (46) provided the lone resistance before England collapsed after lunch. But their pace attack, led by a superb Stokes with 5/23, roared back to leave Australia 123/9 at stumps, still 49 behind.

In a harsh Test debut, opener Jake Weatherald was floored by a Jofra Archer rocket and trapped lbw for a second-ball duck. Star batter Marnus Labuschagne battled through 41 deliveries for his nine, but he too fell to Archer’s raw pace, beaten by a searing fuller ball.