Broad backs India for preparing a rank turner in the 2nd Test

While many experts criticized the BCCI for preparing a rank turner in the second Test between India and England, senior speedster Stuart Broad believes that India had every right to prepare a surface that plays in their favour. Broad then hailed India for their performance in the second Test and said that England were outplayed by the hosts.

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Writing in his column for Daily Mail Broad wrote” "There is no criticism of the second Test pitch from our point of view. That’s exactly what home advantage is, and you are well within your rights to utilise that. Why wouldn’t India play on pitches that turn square and upon which first-innings runs are vital? They outplayed us on a pitch that they are very skilled on but one very alien to us."

He further added that England also did the same when they prepared a green top at Lords in the 2018 Test series against India.

"It’s the same as when we beat India at Lord’s in 2018: the ball swung around, and when it did, it looked like a different pitch when we batted on it compared to our opposition. Why? Because we have spent 30 years playing against the ball moving through the air. India were dismissed for 107 and 130, and we won by an innings," Stuart Broad added.

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He also talked about how most nations try to take home advantage by preparing a surface that’s suited to their strength, citing the example of Australia playing their first game of the series in Brisbane, the venue where they have an impeccable record.

"There are all different ways of trying to give yourself an advantage on home turf. When South Africa play at home to Sri Lanka, it doesn’t get talked about too much that they play on pitches of steep bounce and rapid pace on the Highveld. In Australia, they have a tendency to play the first match of a series at the Gabba because it’s a stronghold for them. There are all kinds of subtle advantages used across the world of sport," Broad said.

The third test of the India-England series will be played at Motera, the largest stadium in the world. It’ll be a day-night affair and will get underway on February 24th.