"As if it is God's gift to cricket" - Former India batter slams critics after 1st Ashes 2025-26 Test in Perth ends in two days

Former India batter Aakash Chopra slammed critics and trolls who raised big questions over the Eden Gardens pitch, but avoided making similar comments on the Perth surface after the first Ashes Test lasted less than two days. Chopra termed the selective criticism of pitches as a clear case of 'hypocrisy'.

The surface at Eden Gardens in Kolkata used for the first Test between India and South Africa received plenty of hate after the match ended inside three days. However, a number of experts praised the quality of bowling from both sides after the Australia vs England Ashes Test in Perth ended on Day 2.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra pointed out to the conflicting reactions from experts to the pitches in Perth and Kolkata. Taking a dig at critics, he said:

"Hypocrisy much. Lot of people on social media try to tell us, 'what do you guys know?' If 19 wickets falls in a day in Perth and the Test ends in two days, they say that 'the fast bowling has been great. Look at the quality of fast bowling and enjoy it. This is peak Test cricket'. They have to present it as if it is God's gift to cricket.

"When the same thing happens in Eden Gardens, the West says that 'Test cricket is dead. India is making a mockery of Test cricket'. Interesting, not only the West, some of our people are also doing the same." the former India opener added.

Australia beat England by eight wickets in the Perth Test on Saturday, November 22. Set to chase a target of 205, they raced home in 28.2 overs after Travis Head clobbered 123 off 83. Only one batter crossed the half-century mark in the previous three innings of the Test match.

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"Standard of batting has fallen" - Aakash Chopra on Perth and Kolkata Tests ending quickly

Sharing his own thoughts on the Perth and Kolkata Tests not lasting the distance, Chopra opined that it was a clear-cut case of falling batting standards. Admitting that batting was not easy on both the surfaces, he refused to believe that it was unplayable. The 48-year-old commented:

The truth of the matter is that the standard of batting has fallen, especially defensive batting has become a lot weaker. This is across the board - India, South Africa, New Zealand, England and Australia as well. The pitch is Perth was not unplayable, but batting was not good and they just got folded. The pitch at Eden Gardens was bad, but not unplayable, as Temba Bavuma showed."

Seasoned Australia left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc was named Player of the Match in Perth for registering figures of 7-58 & 3-55. The second Ashes Test will begin at The Gabba in Brisbane on December 4.