“Need for Speed” isn’t just a thrilling game; it sparks dopamine and creates a rush of pleasure. Speed excites everyone involved, including the audience, keeping them on the edge of their seats. You only live once—that’s the mantra.
But to truly appreciate speed, we also need stability. Slow and steady moments make the thrill of speed more satisfying.
Cricket values both speed and stability. Fast bowlers bring charm, while spinners bring magic. Yet the history of cricket has always glamorized pace over spin—a narrative pushed by English and Western media because their pitches suit fast bowling. For nearly a century, English media controlled this picture.
We’ve been conditioned to see spin-friendly pitches as “unsuitable” if they turn from day one. It usually starts with articles accusing the home team of misusing power, followed by social media outcry demanding stadium bans. Soon, the focus shifts from cricket to morality.
The bias against spin wickets has been ingrained in our minds for decades; it’s hard to shake. The subconscious doesn’t let go easily.
If seam on day one is acceptable, so should spin be. But here lies the problem—the guilty attitude of Asian fans. We value others’ opinions more than our own. The idea of preparing a pitch that challenges both teams seems to clash with our cultural hospitality.
Yet, we rarely complain about fast, bouncy pitches when touring overseas. Instead, we embrace the challenge. So why not offer visiting teams the same opportunity to embrace the spin challenge? Are spin tracks impossible to bat on? Absolutely not—stats support that.
South Africa, known for bouncy tracks, is the worst place for batters. India, with turning wickets, is the second-worst. Two countries with completely opposite pitches. If spin is bad, bounce is worse.
Wait…
It gets better. Pakistan, another Asian country, has become a paradise for batters over the past five years, followed by Sri Lanka, home to spin tracks like no other.
The propaganda doesn’t end with attacking turners. Recently, Pakistan has built hard, solid tracks perfect for batting. Critics called them “highways,” and rightly so, but you can’t have it both ways.
In the first Test against Pakistan, England piled up 800+ runs, winning the match. Critics blamed the curator for “killing” Test cricket with a lifeless pitch. Drama queens.
Pakistan adapted after the first Test, preparing a spinning track and winning the next match by an innings. They held a strong position in the third Test. Suddenly, people criticized this tactic as “unfair home advantage.” Grow up.
Pace and spin bowling aren’t exclusive to certain countries. Fast bowlers succeed in Asia, and spinners do well on seaming tracks. Each pitch tests skill. The obsession with condemning spin-friendly pitches needs to end. It’s up to both the host and foreign media to respect each country’s style. Visiting media should focus on cricket, while host media should take pride in their teams.
This obsession is blown out of proportion by social media. Keyboard warriors have made it impossible to enjoy the game. Love for the sport is fading, replaced by frustration and impatience. Every loss feels like the end of the world, and even wins lack celebration. Everyone wants their opinion to be the final word.
Maybe it’s time to leave the phones behind while watching the game. Rediscover the joy of cricket as you did in childhood—by simply enjoying it.
