The Chennai pitch has been the topic of discussion since the beginning of the India and England Test series. With the same pitch being used for the ongoing second Test as well, it has caught a lot of eyeballs on Twitter especially that of former cricketers.
While the pitch helped spin bowlers from Day 1, the second day's play saw 15 wickets fall. Seeing the conditions of the crease in Chennai, former cricketers Michael Vaughan, Shane Warne and Kevin Pietersen took to Twitter talking about the same.
On Sunday former England batsman Kevin Pietersen applauded India for preparing a "brave wicket" despite being down in the four-match series. Taking a cheeky dig at India skipper Virat Kohli, Pietersen wrote, "Such a brave wicket to prepare for a Test match IN India when India are down in the series. If India had lost the toss, they'd have gone down 2-0. Very very brave! Well tossed @imVkohli".
Former England captain Michael Vaughan lavished praise for India but also criticised the Chepauk pitch, calling it a shocker. He wrote, "It's entertaining cricket as things are happening all the time but let's be honest this Pitch is a shocker .. Not making any excuses as India have been better but this isn't a Test Match 5 day prepared Pitch ... #INDvENG".
However, Australian legend Shane Warne did not agree with Vaughan and has voiced his opinion. Warne said that in the first Test, the pitch started 'exploding', and when the Indian side was thrashed in the first Test, nobody raised any objection.
"Come on maaaaaate ! The last few days of the 1st test, the wicket started exploding & no one said a word about the pitch when India had no chance. At least this test it's been the same for both teams from ball one. Eng bowled poorly & Rohit, Pant and Jinx showed how to bat".
Another former England skipper Michael Atherton also had said that the pitch in Chennai is tricky. However, it had been the same from the start and hence toss wasn't decisive.
"Reality bites, as have India's spinners. Pant, Ashwin and Foakes outstanding today. Pitch very tricky but worth repeating point made y'day, it has been very tricky from the start. Toss not decisive".
As far as the Test match, the Indian side are in a controlling position as India finished Day 2 with their scorecard reading 54/1 with a lead of 249 runs. The entire first innings of the England side lasted only 59.5 overs, and they were bowled out for 134.
