India vs England: Who will complain against a track like this, it was fantastic entertainment, says Ravi Shastri

 

AHMEDABAD: There is no reason to cry over the nature of the Motera track, India head coach Ravi Shastri asserted on Saturday, saying the curator prepared pitches that produced "fantastic entertainment" in the last two matches here.

The pitch for the third Test came in for sharp criticism from a few former England players after the visitors were bowled out for 112 and 81 in the day/night match.
While England struggled on the spin-friendly track, India claimed victories in the third and fourth Tests here to qualify for the World Test Championship final against New Zealand in June.

"Why should I hold back? I attribute it to the groundsman," Shastri said after India dismissed England for 135 to register an innings and 25 run win in the final Test here.
"I think Ashish Bhowmick is an outstanding groundsman, he knows his job. He has learnt it the hard way. He worked with Daljit Singh, who was a master curator.

"Who will complain against a track like this? It is fantastic entertainment, for both teams and the game and the result 3-1 doesn't really suggest how close the series was."
Shastri lauded the team for making it to the WTC final despite the ICC changing the qualification criteria last year.