Sitanshu Kotak said that the pitch on the offer for the second Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy didn't look like a 'subcontinental wicket' to him.
The Bazballing English team had set a clear formula to achieve success in Test cricket - make flat pitches, small boundaries, and out-bat the opposition with their aggressive approach.
However, that strategy backfired in the second Test match at Edgbaston in Birmingham. England bowlers struggled on the batting-friendly pitch and were totally exhausted as the visitors piled up 587 runs in the first innings and 427 runs in the second innings, setting up a target of 608 runs, which the Three Lions couldn't chase and got bowled out for 271, facing a 336-run loss.
Personally, it didn't look like a subcontinental wicket to me - Sitanshu Kotak
Speaking to the reporters ahead of the Lord's Test, India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak was asked about Ben Stokes' claim, and he totally rejected it, saying the Edgbaston pitch assisted the pacers even on Day 5, and such a thing doesn't happen on a subcontinental surface.
“On the last day, maybe, the ball was turning a little. When you prepare such a hard wicket with grass, it won't create rough but it will have footmarks, which help with the turn. I think they tried to make a hard batting wicket.”
It seems a little bit in the wicket - Sitanshu Kotak
Talking about the Lord's surface, Sitanshu Kotak said that it might offer more help to the pace bowlers.
"Generally, the normal Lord's Test, the scores of the first and second innings, are comparatively low. So you can expect that there can be more help for the bowlers. For the batsmen, the same thing, I believe that it is a mindset. Spending time on the wicket is the best friend you can have. The more time you spend on the wicket, the more you will adjust to the wicket."
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