Viv Richards slams critics of Ahmedabad pitch

West Indian batting legend Viv Richards is not amused with past and present English cricketers “moaning and groaning” about the spin-friendly pitches in India and said that the visitor did not prepare well for the challenge.

All the chatter has not gone down well with Richards, whose incredible range of strokes and fearless approach to the game terrorised the best of bowlers in his prime in every corner of the cricketing world.

“I have been asked questions recently about the Test matches that were played in India, the second and third Test matches against England. And, I am a little confused about the question really because there seems to be a lot of moaning and groaning about the wicket that they were playing on,” Richards said in a video posted on Facebook.

“I just felt that the ones who are moaning, in my opinion, should realise that there are times that you are going to get a seaming track, a ball that is basically jumping off a good length and everyone thinks that is a problem for batters,” he reasoned.

The 68-year-old pointed out that playing in India has mostly been about tackling quality spinners and that England may not have done its homework properly ahead of the tour.

“People seem to forget that if you are going to India, you should expect that. You are going to a spin land. You should basically prepare yourself to know what you are going to encounter,” observed the former West Indies batsman.