India vs England: After Fierce Criticism of Chepauk Pitch, Michael Vaughan Says Teams Allowed Home Advantage

The Chepauk pitch for the second Test between India and England had come in for intense debate and scrutiny. India went on to win the second Test in comfortable fashion and level the four-match series 1-1, but a number of former cricketers slammed the spin-friendly nature of the pitch. Chief among those critics was former England skipper Michael Vaughan, who even ended up getting into a Twitter spat with former Australia international Shane Warne over whether or not such a pitch should be allowed for international cricket. The fact that it was a departure from the kind of pitch used in the first Test in the same venue didn’t help matters.

However, Vaughan seemingly performed something of a U-turn on Sunday, saying it made sense for home teams to have a home advantage.

Earlier, Rohit Sharma slammed the discussions over spinning pitches in India, saying the team has every right to make use of home advantage. Rohit said no one discusses the nature of the pitches when India travel overseas, and said others too should not make a controversy out of nothing.

“Both teams play on the same pitch, I’ve never understood why it’s debated so much,” he said at a press conference. “People keep talking about it, but the fact is this is how pitches in India have been for a long time. I don’t think anything should change. Everyone makes use of home advantage. When we go outside, no one thinks about us – so why should we think of others?

Looking Forward to Sharing a Dressing Room with Virat Kohli – Rahul Tewatia

“We need to go with our team’s preference. That’s the meaning of home advantage. Else, just take it away. The ICC should come up with a uniform rule everywhere for pitches in India and outside India. When we go abroad, people make our life difficult. I don’t think pitches should be debated at all. Debates can be held on players, their performances, and how they are batting or bowling, but don’t debate pitches. Both teams play on the same pitch and whoever plays better wins.”

Rohit said the team, particularly the batsmen, don’t stress too much on the nature of the pitches.

Twitter Full of Joy as Suryakumar Yadav Gets India Call-up At Last

“As a team, we don’t take it to mind,” he said. “What’s there is there. Thinking much about pitches isn’t going to change anything. Our focus is on how to play on the pitch. Do we need to step out or sweep? If it’s a seaming pitch, do we have to stand forward, do we need to leave a lot to defend? Got to think like this.”

Get all the IPL news and Cricket Score here