Vijay defends ‘poor’ Pune pitch

– Batsman Murali Vijay (right) yesterday rejected the idea that the Pune pitch was to blame for India’s drubbing in the first Test against Australia despite it being classified as “poor” by the match referee.

Virat Kohli’s team crumbled twice for totals of 105 and 107 in the two innings at Pune’s Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, going down to less fancied Australia by 333 runs.

The nature of the Pune track, which turned sharply from day one, prompted the International Cricket Council (ICC) match referee Chris Broad to express concern over the quality of the pitch.

But speaking ahead of the second Test which begins in Bangalore on Saturday, Vijay resisted the temptation to blame the pitch for India’s meek showing in Pune which brought an end to a 19-match unbeaten run.

“I don’t say the Pune wicket was a poor wicket. It was a challenging wicket from ball one,” the Indian opening batsman said.

“As cricketers we need to play on such wickets to test your ability rather than playing on flat tracks,” said Vijay, who registered scores of 10 and 2 in his two outings in Pune.

Vijay, like many others, expected a sporting track at Bangalore’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium, but insisted that he is not too bothered about the character of the playing surface.

“Personally I don’t go into a match seeing the wicket. I go into the middle with an open mind and look to adapt according to the pitch conditions,” said Vijay.

He added the team was keen on addressing key issues like dropped catches which allowed Australian skipper Steve Smith four lives during the batsman’s gritty century in the second innings.

Smith’s 109 helped the tourists set India a daunting target of 441 and duly take a 1-0 lead in the four-match series between the two top sides. – AFP

Today: Perth, Force v Reds, 12.30pm:

The Reds with No 8 Scott Higginbotham back looked better than usual last week against the Sharks, while the Force pushed the Waratahs all the way. Big Reds centre Samu Kerevi could be a handful.

Prediction:

The Reds with the narrowest of margins.

Tomorrow: Hamilton, Chiefs v Blues, 8.35am:

The Blues were impressive last week against the Rebels, but the Chiefs’ defence even more influential against the Highlanders. Blues centre Rieko Ioane, who scored a hat-trick last week, is a big threat.

The Chiefs by 3-5.

Prediction: Saturday: Wellington, Hurricanes v Rebels, 6.15am:

The defending champions were awesome against the lowly Sunwolves in round one, while the Rebels got hammered by a newlook Blues side. Canes flank Ardie Savea could again be the man to watch.

Prediction: Dunedin, Highlanders v Crusaders, 8.35am: Prediction: Prediction:

edge it. Hurricanes by +15.

One of the toughest games of the weekend to call with the Highlanders going down to the Chiefs last weekend, but the Crusaders looked iffy against the Brumbies. The game of the weekend? New Crusaders coach Scott Robertson seemingly has more work to do.

Highlanders by 5-7.

Prediction: Canberra, Brumbies v Sharks, 10.45am:

Despite going down to the Crusaders last weekend the Brumbies looked impressive, while the Sharks will rue their inability to close out their game against the Reds. The Sharks require more direction from Pat Lambie and Cobus Reinach.

Brumbies by 4-6.

Prediction: Singapore, Sunwolves v Kings, 12.55pm:

Very much the battle of the minnows, but the Kings showed a lot of fight against the Jaguares, while the Sunwolves had to rely on three late tries but suffered a terrible beating against the Hurricanes.

The Kings could fancy their chances, but do they believe?

Johannesburg, Lions v Waratahs, 3.05pm:

Neither were that impressive against the Cheetahs and Force respectively, but still managed to grind out tense wins. The Lions should

Cape Town, Stormers v Jaguares, 5.15pm:

The Stormers showed they will be tough to beat in Cape Town, while the Jaguares started off with a good win over the Kings, but were guilty of letting the Kings back in. How much will the Stormers miss Damian de Allende?

Stormers by 10-15.

Prediction: Bloemfontein, Cheetahs v Bulls, 7.30pm:

It all depends how they bounce back after first round losses, but the Cheetahs were more impressive against the Lions, while the Bulls were found wanting on defence and in the set pieces against the Stormers.

Prediction:

The Cheetahs by 7.