Chappell added that the noise across the pitch was not sudden, however requested Australia to cease eager about pitches in India and simply consider their job.
“It was by no means impossible to play on, as Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith showed, but Australia failed to post a testing first-innings total. The media making allegations about pitch-doctoring is nothing new. Players need to ignore this little game or else it has a debilitating effect on the visiting team,” the previous Australian captain wrote in his column for ESPNCricinfo.
India confronted typical pitch doctoring allegations within the build-up to the Nagpur Test.
“The noise was exactly that in the case of the pitch. Not unexpectedly, it turned out to be nothing more than a fairly typical first-day Indian red-soil wicket,” Chappell wrote.
Chappell additionally feels Australia’s capitulation within the first Test towards India has uncovered their frailties towards spin, and stated the touring Pat Cummins-led aspect must adapt to the situations rapidly.
Spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja bamboozled Australia on a typical red-soil wicket because the guests crumbled to their lowest whole in India — 91 — to endure an innings defeat inside three days in Nagpur on Saturday.
“The first Test has exposed Australia’s weakness against good spin bowling on turning pitches. If they can ensure this setback doesn’t mean their mental capacity to cope in India is not dented, it will keep them in the series. If they waver, they are in big trouble,” Chappell added.
“Far too much emphasis is put on how pitches are going to play and on doctoring. It’s worth remembering that both teams have to play on the same pitch,” he added.
He stated India at present boasts of a powerful aspect and has the power to win in any situations.
“The reality is that India have developed into a very strong side all round the world, with a special feel for how to win at home,” the 79-year-old wrote.
Citing instance of Rohit Sharma’s “masterful” century that took India to 400 within the first innings, he wrote: “If Australia, who have a weakness against spin in India, don’t adapt to conditions quickly, they are going to suffer the same fate that has befallen other visiting sides.”
Chappell additional questioned the omission of off-spin all-rounder Travis Head.
“The omission of Travis Head, despite his troubles against good spinners, was difficult to fathom. The choice of off-spinner Todd Murphy in his first Test after only seven first-class games was brave. Nevertheless it also displayed great faith in Murphy’s skills,” he wrote.
“In the end the choice Australia made, to favour economy over wicket-taking potential, quickly took its toll and India capitalised on bowlers tiring from a heavy workload,” he added.
(With inputs from PTI)
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com