Former Team India all-rounder Irfan Pathan asked his batsmen to strengthen their game against spin-bowling instead of complaining about rank-turners when foreign teams tour India for Test series. Due to India’s dominance on the home ground, there has been a lot of commotion about Indian pitches in recent times.

However, Pathan suggested that touring teams should avoid blaming the conditions for their poor performances. Cricketer-turned-commentator Pathan made this statement after the end of the first day’s play (Wednesday, January 3) of the ongoing Cape Town Test between India and South Africa. The batsmen had to struggle to score runs on this pitch, due to which a total of 23 wickets fell on the first day itself.

Irfan Pathan’s tweet after seeing the Cape Town pitch

Regarding the Cape Town pitch, Irfan Pathan wrote on his X account, “When foreign cricketers come to India on turning pitches, they should not complain. This is a skill they need to improve on!”

When overseas cricketers come to India on turning pitches they shouldn’t complain. It’s a skill they need to improve!

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) January 4, 2024

Nine wickets fell in the first session of the first day in the ongoing second Test between India and South Africa. The Proteas won the toss and decided to bat first. South Africa’s decision to bat first proved wrong. South Africa’s first innings was all out for just 55 runs, the biggest contribution in this was from Mohammed Siraj. He took 6 wickets in the first innings. After this, the Indian team was also all out for 153 runs in the first innings.

Most wickets fallen in one day of a test match

• 27 wickets – ENG vs AUS, Lord’s, 1888 (Day 2)
• 25 wickets – AUS vs ENG, Melbourne, 1902 (Day 1)
• 24 wickets – ENG vs AUS, The Oval, 1896 (Day 2)
• 24 wickets – IND vs AFG, Bengaluru, 2018 (Day 2)
• 23 wickets – SA vs AUS, Cape Town, 2011 (Day 2)
• 23 wickets – SA vs IND, Cape Town, 2024 (Day 1)

Also read: South Africa team gave guard of honor to Dean Elgar in SA vs IND second test