In the sandy paradise of the Caribbean, India’s crafty spinner Ravichandran Ashwin found something less than tropical bliss. With cricket’s rhythms pulsating in the island winds, Ashwin couldn’t help but notice something amiss on the practice pitch. The West Indies, famous for their calypso cricket, appeared to be dancing on a floor that had seen better days.
Ashwin recently took to his YouTube channel to dish the dirt on the West Indies’ worn-out wickets, explaining that during the two-match Test series in Barbados, the team had to practice on grassless, weary surfaces. It was like playing cricket in your backyard, except your backyard had hosted a world series!
With the kind-hearted intention of a cricket ambassador, Ashwin revealed, “We played at the Barbados Test Centre. The nets looked like they’d danced one calypso too many. They were too old. I’m not pointing fingers, just pointing out facts. If this is their Test centre’s condition, imagine the hurdles their cricketers face!”
But wait, there’s more to this story. India sauntered to a 1-0 Test series victory, with Ashwin stealing the limelight with 15 scalps. And yet, his concerns were less about his achievements and more about the game’s growth in a land that once dominated the cricketing scene.
Image Source – Crickettimes
Ashwin’s clarion call was clear: “For cricket to twirl and twist in the Caribbean, the roots must be watered. Even the kids deserve a decent dance floor. This is a talent-driven sport; if a kid grooves right, he’ll dance all the way to the top.”
Ah, the days when the West Indies were the rockstars of the cricket world, a powerhouse in the 1975-79 era. What went wrong? Ashwin believes it all starts with nurturing the turf. “In India, we’ve tuned our pitches in cities far and wide, from Ranchi to Guwahati. But in the Caribbean islands, where cricket should be the rhythm of life, the infrastructure hasn’t found its beat.”
As India and West Indies face off in a five-match T20I series, with the hosts leading 2-0, one can’t help but wonder if Ashwin’s words will resonate like a sweet Caribbean melody, leading to an overhaul of cricketing facilities.
Image Source – Jagranjosh
Maybe, just maybe, the next time India dances onto the West Indies’ turf, they’ll find a pitch that sings the songs of cricket’s past glory, vibrant and full of life, just like the islands themselves. Now wouldn’t that be a sight to behold? Time to put on those dancing shoes, West Indies!
