Rahul Dravid
Rahul Dravid (Image Credit: Twitter)

Team India head coach Rahul Dravid said that the Kanpur pitch didn’t have enough bounce and turn in the first Test.

India and New Zealand ended the engrossing Test match in a draw after the visitors remained firm in the final session to end at 165 for nine.

New Zealand tail-enders Rachin Ravindra and Ajaz Patel displayed a rock-solid defence in the final nine overs of the game to defy the Indian spinners.

Rachin Ravindra and Ajaz Patel
Rachin Ravindra and Ajaz Patel. Image-Twitter

India just needed one wicket to seal the game but the New Zealand spinners were great at blocking the balls to deny them a victory.

This didn’t seem to have that kind of bite: Rahul Dravid On Kanpur Pitch

Dravid criticised the pitch for not having enough wear and tear and felt that spinners were robbed of taking outside edges because of the lack of turn on it.

“It was low and slow and probably didn’t have that much bounce or didn’t have a turn. Probably, you expect a little bit more wear and tear on the fifth day in Indian conditions over the course of five days. This didn’t seem to have that kind of bite,” Dravid said in the press conference after the match.

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“Generally, in India on day five, spinners can challenge both edges – inside and outside. You know you can beat people on the inside edge and get lbw. But honestly, in this game, the outside edge was virtually ruled out,” he added.

I have played here and I know wickets can be tough: Rahul Dravid

Ravichandran Ashwin (3/35) and Ravindra Jadeja (4/40) bowled stupendously in the final session to pick the wickets of the Black Caps.

New Zealand opener Tom Latham was the highest run-scorer for the visitors, he stitched a 76-run stand with William Somerville, who came in as a night watchman on Day 4.

Dravid said that they expected the pitch to be tough enough in Kanpur citing his personal experience on playing in the same venue.

Even till the last day, none of the edges carried, very few catches close to the bat, I can’t remember, (KS) Bharat took a couple. It sort of made it feel that there is only one way to get people out, bowled or maybe lbw, probably two in the last session,” Dravid said.

Rahul Dravid
Rahul Dravid (Image Credit: Twitter)

“In spite of that we were able to prise out nine wickets (8) on the last day, but it was tough but we expected it to be tough in Kanpur. I have played here and I know wickets can be tough. Usually, on day five, you should get a bit more help and cracks to widen up a little bit, I don’t know, maybe it’s winter and that’s why,” he added.

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According to the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association, Dravid had given Rs 35,000 personally to the groundsmen to prepare a sporting pitch.

Also Read: IND vs NZ 2021: Rahul Dravid Pays Rs 35,000 To Groundsmen For Preparing Sporting Pitch: Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association