Legendary Indian cricket staff star Ravi Shastri took an enormous dig at England batter Ollie Pope relating to the huge controversy across the Ranchi pitch. Ahead of the fourth Test match between India and England, Pope spoke rather a lot concerning the floor and expressed his considerations relating to the cracks. However, in a Test match that witnessed a number of stable knocks from each groups, Pope failed to attain a single run and was dismissed for a duck in each innings. During commentary on Day 4, Shastri slammed the batter for his feedback and stated that cricketers have to play the ball and never the pitch.

“The pitch was called all sorts of planets before the start. And those who talked about it did not get runs. Ollie Pope was one. Don’t play the pitch, play the ball. Rohit Sharma will do that on Day 4,” he stated.

Meanwhile, legendary batter Sunil Gavaskar on Sunday prompt that India captain Rohit Sharma ought to permit Ravichandran Ashwin to guide the staff out on the sector within the closing Test in Dharamsala, to honour the senior off-spinner in his milestone one hundredth match.

The 37-year-old Ashwin is taking part in in his 99th Test within the fourth match right here in opposition to England and returned with figures of 5/51 within the guests’ second innings, his thirty fifth five-wicket haul within the longest format.

“India win tomorrow, and you go to Dharamshala (for fifth and final Test), I just hope that Rohit allows you to lead the team out to the field. That’ll be a wonderful gesture, honour for all that you have done for Indian cricket,” Gavaskar stated whereas chatting with Ashwin on Jio Cinema after the top of the third day’s play.

To that, Ashwin replied he can be comfortable if his presence within the staff lasts longer.

“Sunny bhai, you are being too generous, thanks so much. However, expectations about all these things, I think I am well past all that. But genuinely saying, I am enjoying every single moment I am being with this team,” Ashwin stated.

“The longer it lasts, I will be happy.”

(With PTI inputs)