Ind vs SA: Ganguly lashes out at Wanderers pitch, calls it 'unfair'

 Sourav Ganguly today said the pitch for the third Test between India and South Africa was unfair on the batsmen and called for ICC's intervention into the matter.

"To play test cricket on this surface is unfair ...saw it in NZ in 2003 ...batsman have minimum chance ...ICC should look into it," tweeted Ganguly. India were bowled for 187 on day one with Cheteshwar Pujar and captain Virat Kohli scoring fighting half-centuries.

The pacers enjoyed bowling on the seaming surface with Kagiso Rabada taking three wickets, Morne Morkel, Vernon Philander and Andile Phehlukwayo picking two each.  South Africa too lost 4 wickets for 96 with Bhuvneshwar Kumar getting 3 scalps. 

Run scoring has been extremely difficult in this pitch with Pujara unable to open his account for the first 50 balls in the Indian innings. In general, the run rate in the match has been far lower than the average run rates seen in the contemporary times. Established batters have either got out defending and suddenly getting a brilliant ball, or sometimes they have been dismissed while trying to be aggressive. 

All in all, batting has been tough and commentators have highlighted it. Now, one of India's greatest captain Sourav Ganguly has criticised it, and compared it with shocker pitches India got in 2003 New Zealand series. The pitches were widely hailed as poor with players from both sides getting out cheaply. Incidentally, India had a poor run in that series too. 

With PTI inputs