Based on Murali Karthik's comments below I must say, as someone who has supported him in the past, he has become as stupid as his captain Ganguly. How can the hosts be complaining about the pitch ? This is how sorry the state of Indian cricket is....amazing. I think Indian circket in general, and the team in particular, needs a thorough overhaul
South Africans keen for a draw: Karthik
[TIMES NEWS NETWORK ]
KANPUR, Nov 21: Murali Karthik was given the opportunity after the second day's play to face the media on behalf of the Indian team. Straightaway he was queried about the pitch, and he did not try to hide his disappointment with it.
"It lacks the pace and bounce for the edges and bat-pads to carry to the fielder. The pitch is too lifeless.
"As a bowler you want the track to have more carry and zip, which is not there. The few people who saw the pitch said it is a good one for batting. The ball may turn slowly at a later stage.
"We will also bat well on this track. We have the batsmen to do well," he said.
He also lashed out at the opponents saying they look keen to just draw the match. "They have shown no intent to accelerate the scoring. Probably they would be happy with a draw."
He denied that India too had adopted negative tactics, bowling on the rough outside the leg-stump and with not many fielders in catching positions.
"Maybe towards the end of the second day we were a bit defensive. But we had catchers in place always. From time to time one needs to change tactics, thus we bowled in the rough. We did manage to get Hall out behind his pads."
On the ideal type of pitch, he said that it should have bounce and zip. "It many not be a big turner, but the edges should carry to the fielders. Anyhow types of pitches is debatable, but it should give equal opportunity to the batsmen and the bowlers."
He said that the Indian batsmen will also show the same resolve in tackling the South African bowling, despite being under pressure of big score.
