Rahul Dravid criticizes ‘two day’ Ranji pitches

Speaking on the eve of Indian U-19 team’s last group match of tri-series against Afghanistan, Dravid did not hold anything back about the condition of the pitches in Ranji Trophy.

“We don’t want green tops but also we don’t want wickets where match finishes in two days and people who are bowling darts are getting six-seven wickets. I think we need to be very careful that we don’t go down that path,” said Dravid, reported PTI.

The match between Bengal and Odisha, which finished in two days, saw 26 wickets falling in a day. After succumbing to 37 all out, Odisha lodged a complaint against the pitch at the Bengal Cricket Academy ground in Kalyani. Odisha captain Natraj Behera also slammed the condition of the pitch. "You can't play a first-class match on such a wicket," Behera told ESPNcricinfo.

Dravid, who is guiding the U-19 cricket team, also complained that playing on square turners is not good for Indian cricket. “Square turners, matches are finishing in two or three days. I really don’t think its good for the health of Indian cricket. Because if you think about it it’s a waste of time, energy and money,” he said, reported PTI.

But, Dravid refused to criticize the Nagpur pitch, which has come under severe criticism from former cricketers all over the world. “It’s a little different at the international level since you are looking for wickets. But at least in the Ranji Trophy level we are looking to prepare players for the international stage. These wickets, what I have seen recently, is poor,” Dravid added