Chopra blasts placid pitch

Aakash Chopra is a 14-year first-class veteran, has played 153 matches including 10 Tests, and has seen it all before.

The 34-year-old launched a scathing attack on the pitch at the MA Chidambaram stadium that has made for a limp contest in the Ranji Trophy final, this despite his team making 404 for two at stumps on the second day against Tamil Nadu.

“I don't think this is an ideal surface for as big a game as the Ranji Trophy final,” the Rajasthan opener said. “If you see a bouncer reaching the wicket-keeper on two bounces, then you know something is not right. It's been a hard toil for the fast bowlers, the spinners they've been under the cosh not because of the number of runs they have conceded but because they have been in for a long time and there isn't much response from the surface.

“Even the batsmen are not feeling too great about it because there is very little bounce, very little pace to work with. It's a difficult wicket to play cricket on. If you have batted for two days and only two wickets have fallen, then there is something wrong with the surface,” the former India opener went on. “There is no life in the wicket, which makes for dull, boring sluggish cricket which isn't great to play, and definitely not great to watch.”

Chopra explained his team’s go-slow approach. “It's not intentional or something we thought of before starting the game. All we are trying to do is guard our wickets and score as many runs as possible. Unfortunately, those opportunities are not coming.”

Despite having occupied the crease for nearly 12 and a half hours, Rajasthan are scoring at just under 2.25 runs per over. In case the first innings of both teams are not completed, then the run rate for the match will come into play provided Tamil Nadu bat at least 30 overs in their first innings.