Farokh Engineer blasts pitch and India's IPL-like approach for Pune defeat
Farokh Engineer has blasted the wicket provided for the first Test between India and Australia at the MCA Stadium in Pune where the ball turned from the opening session. The former India wicketkeeper-batsman also blamed complacency and IPL-like approach for India's 333-run defeat.
Engineer questioned the need to prepare a wicket that does not last five days of a Test.
"I am totally shocked. I watched every ball in this game, the first ball turns square, you don't prepare a Test match wicket in this manner. You prepare a Test match wicket to last five days," he told PTI.
"As it so happened Australians won the toss and decided to bat. I think the whole thing misfired in our faces, we never expected.
It hurts me as an Indian. We were humiliated and this is not (what) we expected after great performances against England and New Zealand.
Farokh Engineer
"We were too complacent, our spinners are the best in the world, (Ravichandran) Ashwin, (Ravindra) Jadeja, they are fantastic bowlers. We missed so many chances. Looking at Australia's fielding, close-in fielding, I was reminded of Eknath Solkar's days. They were not taking catches they were making catches, which put them in a strong position."
The 79-year-old hopes India learn from their mistakes and "firstly, never prepares a wicket like this one". He has also criticized KL Rahul for throwing his wicket away in the first innings with a poor shot that triggered a dramatic middle-order collapse.
"Our first innings problem was when Rahul got out and he played a silly shot and that started the debacle. When you are set and you know that a fresh batsman will come, you do not play such a shot. I hope the captain has
"We were playing, (like) we are playing IPL. Good bowling. You have to give Australians credit, they outplayed us. It hurts me as an Indian. We were humiliated and this is not (what) we expected after great performances against England and New Zealand."
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