Joe Root refused to condemn the pitch after accepting his England side were outplayed by India in a humbling two-day third Test defeat in Ahmedabad.
However, Root suggested the International Cricket Council may take their own view of another rampant turner.
Seventeen wickets fell inside the first two sessions at the new Narendra Modi Stadium, wrapping up India’s first innings and England’s second at warp speed to leave the hosts chasing just 49 for the win.
They promptly wrapped up victory by 10 wickets to ensure three full days went unused for just the seventh time in the last 75 years of Test history.
With just 140.2 overs sent down, it was the shortest match since 1935 in terms of balls bowled, and only amplified the debate which raged over the fitness of the previous surface – a loose dustbowl in Chennai.
As captain Root made a point to assume responsibility for his side’s shortcomings and made it clear that being bowled out for 112 on day one, then 81 in their second attempt, was not good enough.
“The ball was a big factor in this wicket. It almost gathered pace off the wicket,” he explained.
“If it hit the shiny side and didn’t hit the seam it almost felt like a 5mph difference. A lot of wickets on both sides were due to being done for pace and beaten on the inside.
“Whenever something new comes in it will always raise questions when we have games like this one. Like a new format or new tournament, it will take some time to get used to it and figure out the best formula and the best methods to exploit the ball, the lights or the conditions.”
