‘It is the quality of the bowlers’ – Irfan Pathan’s brutal response to Australia’s Mark Waugh after he criticizes Nagpur pitch

Ahead of the first Test between India and Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the former and current players have made a lot of remarks, criticizing the pitch of Vidarbha Cricket Association in Nagpur. Australian great Mark Waugh was one among those who criticized the track. The former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan gave a savage reply to him for his comments.

Pathan in conversation with Star Sports before the start of Day 2 of first Test, questioned the logic behind the “hoo-ha” about Nagpur pitch. He also backed his statement with stats. He said that the degree of turn on Day 1 was the lowest since 2021 in India.

“All this hoo-ha about big turn and slow pitch in Australia, especially in the media, look at this stat from first day – 2.9 degrees since 2021. We played against England and New Zealand and last day, it was the least turn. Then what is this hoo-ha about?” Pathan questioned Waugh.

He replied explaining that the “inconsistent turn” is what bothered him the most. “It is not how much the ball turns, it is about the inconsistent turn. One goes straight and one spins a little bit. That is when you get in trouble as a batsman,” he said.

In reply to this, Pathan said, “It is the quality of the bowlers!”

Waugh then hailed India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja for his five-wicket haul in Australia’s first innings. “Yes Jadeja bowled beautifully, stump to stump, great length,” he said.

Rohit Sharma hits fifty to take India to 77/1 at stumps on Day 1

Australia was bundled out for 177 on Day 1 of the opening Test. Jadeja was the star of the first day as he made an impressive comeback, picking his 11th five-wicket haul.  Ravichandran Ashwin picked three wickets and reached the milestone of 450 career wickets. Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami also picked one wicket each on Day 1.

Meanwhile, India captain Rohit Sharma (69 not out) reduced the gap to 100 in their first innings with his stunning half-century. The visitors managed to pick a wicket on first day with debutant Toddy Murphy, dismissing opener KL Rahul (20).