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'Worst I've seen': Cricket world in disbelief over 'shameful' farce

Players, pictured here leaving the field after the third Test between India and England.
Players leave the field after the third Test between India and England ended inside two days. Image: AAP (Sipa USA)

A number of cricket greats have hit out after the third Test between India and England ended in farcical fashion inside two days.

Seventeen wickets fell in just two sessions on Thursday as batsmen on both sides were left in a spin before India eased to a 10-wicket victory.

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Spinners from both sides wrought havoc on the surface where 30 wickets fell in under two days.

England capitulated to be all out for 84 in their second innings on Thursday, marginally worse than their first innings total of 112.

India then cruised to victory after being set 49 to win, sealing their shortest Test match victory ever in terms of the number of balls faced.

Former England captain Sir Alastair Cook admitted he felt uncomfortable watching the "mayhem" of India's rapid victory in the day-night pink ball Test in Ahmedabad.

Cook called India worthy winners, but felt the state of the pitch meant "there's something that doesn't sit quite right."

"It doesn't look great when India win by 10 wickets because it was a lot closer than that actually," England's leading Test run-scorer said on Channel 4.

"India deserved the win. Obviously they are better in those conditions, but it was a tough Test match to watch. The pitch had such a big influence on that.

"That was so hard playing against spin today. India lost seven for 40 when the pressure was on, England were all out for 80. That is incredibly hard to bat against.

"I was sitting here thinking how would I have played against certain balls, what game plan. I can't work out a low-risk strategy that would have been successful - unless you have a lot of luck.

"I don't like that on day two. On day four I'd have no problem. People can say that's sour grapes. The better side won, and that's fair play to India, but there's something that doesn't quite sit right."

Cricket world erupts over farcical scenes

Former England spinner Phil Tufnell said he felt "a little bit bit let down".

"I feel a little bit deprived. It was boiling into a fantastic series and it's sort of become a bit of a shootout," he said.

"It has taken away a bit of the skill from the players. I feel a little bit let down."

Former England captain Michael Vaughan tweeted: "Entertaining .. YES .. but this is an awful pitch for Test cricket .. !!!! Complete lottery on day 2 !!"

But it wasn't just ex-England players complaining, with former India international Yuvraj Singh tweeting: "Finished in two days. Not sure if that's good for Test cricket!.

"If Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh bowled on these kind of wickets they would be sitting on a thousand and 800."

Ravi Ashwin, pictured here celebrating a wicket during the third Test between India and England.
Ravi Ashwin celebrates the wicket of Ollie Pope during the third Test between India and England. Image: AAP (Sipa USA)

But according to India captain Virat Kohli, the early result came down to poor batting rather than the state of the pitch.

"It was a very good pitch to bat on, especially in the first innings," Kohli said after India went 2-1 up in the four-Test series.

"We felt like the ball was coming on nicely with the odd ball turning but it was below-par batting from both teams.

"Our bowlers were much more effective and that's why we got the result."

England great Kevin Pietersen agreed, tweeting: “The batting from both teams was awful! The wicket wasn’t horrendous! It’s just that the batting was dreadful!”

Cricket analyst Simon Hughes said: “That Test left me numb. Still stuck in my studio chair trying to figure it all out.”

While former England fast bowler Chris Tremlett tweeted: “Well played India, the better side in this game but that was some of the worst Test cricket I’ve ever seen.”

with AAP

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