India vs New Zealand: Abhishek Nayar exposes India's pitch strategy; speaks on Kohli-Rohit future

India National Cricket Team assistant coach Abhishek Nayar cleared the air on them making rank turner for the third Test against the New Zealand National Cricket Team. He said that they don't curate the pitches and they just try to play on what is given to them.

India National Cricket Team and New Zealand National Cricket Team will be taking on each other in the final game of the three-match Test series. The dead rubber game will be played at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai from 1st November (Friday).

India has already lost the series

India has already lost the series after they faced two back-to-back losses in the first two games against the New Zealand National Cricket Team in Bengaluru and Pune. But even though the series has already been won by the visitors, the last game holds high importance for the Rohit Sharma-led side.

This is because the crucial World Test Championship points are on the line. India, after facing two back-to-back losses, has been jolted with the loss in PCT on the points table. To keep themselves in contention for the final of the tournament, they need to win the last game of the series

I wish we could curate pitches, but we don't - Abhishek Nayar

There have been various reports that have suggested that the hosts' management has asked to prepare the rank turner. However, assistant coach Abhishek Nayar clarified that as well ahead of the final game against New Zealand.

Abhishek Nayar said that they don't have an idea about the pitch, and whatever they are provided with, they want to make an impact on that. He revealed that they don't set the conditions according to their need. Speaking to reporters, he explained:

"I wish we could curate pitches, but we don't. The curators do. Whatever we're provided with, we go on and play (whether) that'd be a pitch that seamed or a pitch that turned. As cricketers and as a team, we try and play what we're provided with. We don't try and get conditions according to what we want."

Whether you're Virat Kohli Rohit Sharma, or even someone as young as Shubman Gill, the effort is there - Abhishek Nayar

Abhishek Nayar also talked about the poor returns of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in the ongoing series. He said that everyone in the team is putting hard yards and people need to be patient with them. Nayar highlighted the fact that even great players can have bad days. He added:

"Everyone's worked hard; everyone wants to do well, whether you're Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, or even someone as young as Shubman Gill. The effort is there and the approach is great. I feel they're putting in the hard yards. Sometimes, sometimes you've got to be a little patient, even with the greatest of players, and they can have tough times."

India has lost the Test series at home after 12 long years. Both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have struggled to get going and have failed to score. They would be hoping to turn the tables and help the team win.