The selection of venues for India's forthcoming two Test series against South Africa has drawn criticism from former off spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who pointed to the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati as a possible obstacle for the home team.
Three ODIs and five T20Is will follow the series, which starts on November 14 and includes matches at Guwahati and Kolkata's Eden Gardens.
Speaking on his YouTube channel "Ash ki Baat," Ashwin stated that as the majority of the current team is inexperienced on Guwahati's red ball fields, playing there could seem like an away game for India.
India hasn't performed at Guwahati before. Not a single member of this team has participated in a first class game there.
Riyan Parag is the only player who has played, Ashwin said, adding that the customary home advantage might be nullified by unfamiliar circumstances.
The former spinner also brought attention to more general issues with India's method of choosing Test locations. In his argument that home advantage encompasses more than merely playing within national borders or packing stadiums, he emphasised the significance of pitch quality and player familiarity.
"Crowds are not the only factor at test centers. It also has to do with familiarity with the circumstances. "Some venues are better just because the team is accustomed to the conditions and the pitches are better," he remarked.
Additionally, Ashwin backed Virat Kohli, the former captain of India, in his prior suggestion to build five permanent Test centers in India.
In addition to giving Indian players continuity and facilitating better preparation, Kohli has maintained that fixed sites would help other teams comprehend crowd dynamics and pitch behavior.
Although places like Guwahati and Ranchi can hold matches, Ashwin pointed out that their surfaces frequently varied greatly, notably in terms of bounce, which could result in Test pitches that are not up to par.
The remarks follow India's 2-0 series victory against the West Indies in Delhi, which gave Shubman Gill's squad renewed hope.
But Ashwin issued a warning, saying the South Africa series is a better test, especially with a young team playing at new stadiums.
