Ashes 2026: Ex-India cricketer Robin Uthappa has revealed that the pitch, which was used in Melbourne for the 4th Ashes Test match, wasn't that hard to bat on. The fourth Ashes Test match got over within two days, where the visitors won the match by four wickets.

Joining the debate about the surface, Uthappa said that both Australian and English batters didn't have the proper technique to bat on such pitches. He also said that the pitch in MCG has always been bowler-friendly and that the batters need to play patiently. He also said that star Indian batters Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane will perform well on such pitches owing to their brilliant defensive techniques.

"See, it's a dichotomous situation. It's not like it's an impossible wicket. There are such wickets in Melbourne which are very juicy for fast bowlers... I think it's because of the way cricket is played today. I feel like these pitches are unsporty, but if you have the right technique and the right mindset and the fight in you, you'll be able to figure out a solution for this kind of wicket, also. It's not a high-scoring game, but it's not... It won't be a 300-plus game, but even a 250 on this wicket is possible. You gotta fight it out. Play like Puji (Pujara) and Ajinkya Rahane. Definitely, you'll score runs," Uthappa was quoted as saying on his YouTube channel.

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Uthappa also talked about the way in which Joe Root struggled in the second Test in Brisbane, and that he looked out of sorts. He called this an unfortunate incident in this format and that someone like Root can also have a hard time on tricky pitches.

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"I am saying this with a grain of salt because the way we're playing Test cricket has now changed. I don't enjoy it a lot - like the Ashes Test matches that finished in two days. What are we doing to the sport for entertainment? Joe Root looked too lost in that Test match. He didn't know how to play, play attacking cricket, or play his own way in the second innings. It was quite unfortunate... I empathize with them," he concluded.