Praising the New Zealanders for their impressive performance in the drawn first Test at Ahmedabad, legendary all-rounder Kapil Dev blamed India's slow run-rate for failing to force a victory.
"Do not look for any excuses. Indians are playing on the same pitches for the last 40 to 50 years," Kapil Dev told reporters in Coimbatore on Tuesday, in an obvious reference to India skipper Sourav Ganguly's criticism of the placid Motera track.
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"India should have maintained an average of more than 3.5 runs per over, instead of below three runs.
"We have played on the same pitches for the last so many years. Moreover, the Kiwis also played better cricket."
Citing examples of pitches in England, South Africa and Australia, Kapil said efforts should be made to prepare tracks that can produce results in five days of Test cricket.
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