New Delhi: Ahead of Friday's second Twenty20 International match between hosts India and Sri Lanka at Ranchi, Team India Director Ravi Shastri tried to clear his stance on the recent controversies surrounding pitch preparation.
Shastri, 53, told Hindustan Times, "Why shouldn't one complain about wickets. What is there to fear?"
After losing the first T20I in Pune in humiliating fashion to a virtually second string Sri Lankan side, Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni termed the pitch at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium as "English" rather than Indian track.
"The wicket was completely different to what we have been playing in the last one month (in Australia). It was more like an English wicket. There was spongy bounce, and variable pace. The wicket was also not rolled properly. Looking at the wicket, we should not have played a few big shots that we played," Dhoni had said.
Shastri defended his skipper's position and said, "It was difficult to play on that (Pune) track as the wicket was doing something. But do not want to give excuses. The batsmen should have applied themselves better."
Last year, the former India captain was at the centre of a storm following a reported bust-up with pitch curator Sudhir Naik after India lost the One-Day International series decider to South Africa in Mumbai.
"If it's good pitch we will say it is good, if it is bad we will say it is bad. We don't fear anyone," he added.
