Some pitch critics wanted rank turners during their time: Gautam Gambhir

New Delhi: Discarded Indian opener Gautam Gambhir on Thursday defended the nature of pitches that were prepared for the ongoing India-South Africa Test series.

The rank turners at Mohali and Nagpur led to a huge debate in the international cricketing fraternity.

Prior to the 4th Test, players from both sides failed to make a century to construct a 100-run partnership.

In fact, Tests at Mohali and Nagpur ended on the third Day.

"It is ironical to note that some of these pitch critics have themselves called for rank turners during their playing days. I don’t get it. It is simple — as a batsman you should be ready to do well in all conditions. I don’t get it when people say that it is a bad advertisement for cricket. They don’t say the same thing when the ball is swinging, seaming, bouncing off good length in other countries," the left-hander said at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit.

"I remember playing in Cape Town in 2010 and there was a crack running right in the middle of the pitch. For close to 7-8 overs, Sachin Tendulkar and I couldn’t cross ends as (Morne) Morkel and (Dale) Steyn were unplayable. I remember Sachin paaji later telling me that the pitch was the most difficult he had played on," he further added.

Gambhir also stated he was working hard to make a comeback into the Indian side and that retirement was not on his mind.