The World Test Championship (WTC) final at Lord’s, London, remains finely balanced after an astounding 28 wickets fell across the first two days of play between South Africa and Australia. Kagiso Rabada’s five-wicket haul in the first innings saw Australia dismissed for 212.
The bowlers’ dominance persisted into Day 2, with Australia’s captain Pat Cummins outperforming Rabada, claiming 6 for 28 as South Africa were skittled for 138 in their response, handing the holders a 74-run lead. However, Rabada, alongside Lungi Ngidi, once again wreaked havoc, restricting Australia to 134 for 8 by the close of play on Thursday.
Former India batter Aakash Chopra has drawn attention to a significant disparity in how such a wicket-fest would be perceived if it occurred on Indian soil.
“A big question I had about this Lord’s Test match was that if these 28 wickets had fallen in India in two days’ play, wouldn’t the western media have created an uproar, as to what sort of pitch they play, the ball is turning and bouncing, batting has become very difficult, and how such pitches can be allowed, that India is doctoring pitches and killing Test cricket,” Chopra stated in a video on his YouTube channel.
Chopra directly challenged the Western media, pointing out what he perceives as hypocrisy, questioning the absence of criticism regarding the Lord’s pitch.
“You would have seen these headlines from The Telegraph to The Sydney Morning Herald, and you would have felt what you have done. However, when it happens in England, it’s called a sporting pitch, that the batters’ defensive technique has gotten spoiled as the ball is not moving that much. If the batters’ defensive technique has gotten spoiled, it’s valid in India as well,” he added.
While Australia are considered slight favorites given their historical record at Lord’s, Chopra dismissed the idea that South Africa is out of contention for the title.
Chopra does make sense, doesn’t he?
