Rohit Sharma in action in second Test (Courtesy: BCCI/Twitter)

Team India captain Rohit Sharma came down hard at ICC match referees for their double standards over pitch ratings after winning the second Test against South Africa in less than five sessions on Thursday. Comparing the conditions in Newlands, Cape Town, to the spin-friendly wickets majorly used during Test matches in India, Sharma did not mince a word, while also pointing out the below-average rating that the World Cup 2023 Final pitch in Ahmedabad received.

“I think it”s important that we stay neutral everywhere we go,” Rohit Sharma said in the post-match interview. “Especially the match referees. You know, some of these match referees need to keep their eye on how they rate pitches. It”s quite important. I still can”t believe that the World Cup final pitch was rated below average. A batsman got a hundred there in the final. How can that be a poor pitch? So these are the things the ICC, the match referees, they need to look into and start rating pitches based on what they see, not based on the countries. I think that”s quite important.

“So I hope they keep their ears open, they keep their eyes open and look into those aspects of the game. Honestly, I”m all for pitches like this. We want to challenge playing on pitches like this. We pride ourselves playing on pitches like this. Uh, but all I wanna say is be neutral.”

The conditions in Newlands were extremely suitable for the seamers as Day 1 of the shortest Test match ever saw 23 wickets fall with South Africa batting twice. In fact, in the two-Test series, South Africa didn”t bowl any spin while Team India bowled only 19 overs of it in the first match.

Sharma was of the opinion that Test match should be taken as a challenge and played in its right spirit, regardless what the pitch has on offer.

“I mean, we saw what happened in this match, how the pitch played and stuff like that,” Rohit said. “I honestly don”t mind playing on pitches like this. As long as everyone keeps their mouth shut in India and don”t talk too much about Indian pitches, honestly. Because you come here (in Test cricket) to challenge yourself. Yes, it is dangerous. It is challenging. So, and when people come to India, it is again pretty challenging as well. Look, when you are here to play Test cricket, we talk about Test cricket, the ultimate prize, Test cricket being the pinnacle and stuff like that. I think it”s important that we also stand by it.”

“When you are put up against, a challenge like that, you come and face it. That”s what happens in India, but, in India on day one, if the pitch starts turning, people start talking about “Puff of dust! Puff of dust!” There”s so much crack here on the pitch. People are not looking at that.”

India will next assignment will be at home where they will host Afghanistan in a three-T20I series before playing hosts to England in five Tests from January 25 to March 11.