Cricket commentator and former Indian batsman, Ravi Shastri, agreed with Mumbai Indian captain Sachin Tendulkar’s opinion that the Jaipur wicket was a difficult track to bat on. However, Shastri, also felt Rajasthan Royals’ skipper Shane Warne was not mistaken in saying that ‘it was not a 90-run wicket’.
Shane Warne and company thrashed the Mumbai Indians comprehensively by seven wickets at Sawai Mansingh stadium in Jaipur, on Friday April 29, 2011.
Citing the Jaipur pitch as two-paced, the master blaster, Tendulkar, conveyed his reservations over the wicket on which his side’s batting collapsed on a meagre total of 94. Tendulkar said that it was a totally different wicket from the ones being used in the season's other matches.
Warne, in contrast, expressed displeasure over Tendulkar’s comments and said, “Mumbai still is not relishing the fact that they were restricted to 94 for 8 and that is why they are searching for excuses. They should admit that they were outplayed if they were outplayed.”
The dispute between the two cricketing legends started a controversial debate over the suitability of the Jaipur wicket for Twenty20 cricket. However, Ravi, who covered the match between RR and MI as a commentator, uttered that both Warne and Tendulkar are somehow right in their opinion.
"But I have to say it still wasn`t a 90-run wicket. To be fair a few pitches in Kolkata, Delhi and the one in Kochi the other day, if anything, were more ordinary," said Shastri.
There was news circulating in the media that the Mumbai Indians had decided to lodge a complaint against the Jaipur pitch. However, according to the reports coming from the MI camp, no formal complaint has been made and Warne just over-reacted to Tendulkar’s remarks.
Responding to the question about Warne’s reaction over Tendulkar’s comments, Shastri, stated, "I am not sure in what context Warne replied (in the press conference yesterday).”
Referring to the Royals’ humiliating defeat to Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens in the 17th IPL game on April 17, 2011 which led Warne describing the track as ‘very ordinary’, Shastri added, “He (Warne) might have been piqued that his criticism of the Kolkata pitch wasn`t taken seriously.”
It has yet to bee seen how other teams will play on the controversial pitch.
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