Shastri takes dig at curator on pitch: 'Great wicket', followed by expletives

THE INDIAN TEAM management has expressed their disappointment over the track prepared at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai for India's fifth and final ODI against South Africa, which the hosts lost by 214 runs on Sunday.

According to reports, team director Ravi Shastri was miffed with the Mumbai Cricket Association ground staff for having prepared a flat track. It is said that Shastri made a sarcastic remark about the pitch when he crossed paths with the curator, Sudhir Naik after the match ended. He is reported to have said 'great wicket' followed by an expletive.

An agitated Naik in turn told Shastri not to question his ability of preparing wickets, and has taken up the issue with MCA officials including Vice President Dilip Vengsarkar, according to reports.

It is believed that the Indian team management wanted the pitch to assist their spinners, giving them the home advantage. However, the flat deck prepared for the deciding game with the series level at 2-2 turned the game in South Africa's favour, as they feasted on the Indian bowlers, who received no support from the pitch. 

Even Indian captain MS Dhoni was upset with the nature of the pitch, calling it 'too true' for the bowlers. He added that neither the pacers, nor the spinners got anything from the pitch and it was a very good wicket to bat.

With three centuries in their batting line-up, South Africa plundered the Indian bowlers, registering a massive total of 438 runs. In response, India were bundled out for 224, handing the Proteas their first-ever bilateral series win in India, and their first ODI win at the Wankhede stadium.

TFG NEWSLETTER: Exclusive and Stimulating articles delivered Free into your Inbox every day! Subscribe to TFG TIMEs