Scathing Dravid blasts 'poor' Ranji Trophy pitches

Former Indian skipper Rahul Dravid has criticised the quality of pitches that were used in this year's Ranji Trophy campaign, saying that it is producing poor wickets which will going to affect the country's cricket in the long run.

Dravid, who is coaching India A and Under-19, voiced his concerns after Odisha lost a Ranji match against Bengal in Kolkata within two days.

"It's disappointing to see this. I don't want to specifically mention the Bengal game, but all around in the Ranji Trophy this year teams are producing poor wickets - square turners where matches are finishing in two or three days. I don't think it's good for the health of Indian cricket," Dravid was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

Out of the 96 Ranji matches played during this season, seven ended in two days while 14 finished on the third.

The 42-year-old urged that India would not be able to produce good cricketers if they continue playing on these bad pitches.

"The reason for the Ranji Trophy is not only to decide the winner in the end. It also has a job to develop and prepare cricketers for the international stage. And if we keep playing on bad wickets like these, we are not going to develop and produce good cricketers," Dravid added.

Reflecting on the knockout stages, Dravid said that he felt glad that the knockouts of the tournament are staged in neutral venues rather than home venues of each state.

Replying to the target of 171, Odisha were bowled out for a meagre 37 runs, with fast bowler Ashok Dinda grabbing seven wickets while spinner Pragyan Ojha claimed three wickets.

Following the match, Odisha lodged a complaint about the uneven nature of the pitch.