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Dravid: WTC Points Pressure Creating More Bowler-Friendly Pitches Worldwide

Former Indian head coach Rahul Dravid attributes a global trend towards more bowler-friendly Test pitches directly to the pressure of earning points in the World Test Championship. He explains that the need to win every home match for WTC points has increased the demand for result-oriented wickets. Dravid noted this pressure firsthand during his coaching tenure, where securing results, especially at home, became paramount. India's current campaign, struggling in sixth place, needs a significant reversal to reach the 2027 final.

Key Points: Rahul Dravid on WTC Pressure Forcing Result-Oriented Pitches

  • WTC points pressure alters pitch preparation
  • Home teams feel compelled to win every Test
  • Trend towards bowler-friendly surfaces is global
  • India's current WTC standing requires major turnaround
2 min read

Pressure of WTC points leads to more result-oriented pitches, says Rahul Dravid

Former India coach Rahul Dravid says World Test Championship points pressure is leading to more bowler-friendly pitches globally, impacting home teams.

"The pressure on home teams to win all the games has increased because of the World Test Championship. - Rahul Dravid"

New Delhi, January 28

Former Indian head coach Rahul Dravid believes that the importance of getting result-oriented wickets has become much more, and pressure on home teams to win all the games has increased because of the World Test Championship, reported ESPNcricinfo.

India is struggling in the ongoing World Test Championship, currently languishing in sixth place. To make it to the 2027 final, they'll need a major turnaround.

Dravid pointed out the increasingly result-oriented pitches worldwide as a factor in the team's recent batting struggles, saying we're seeing slightly more wickets that favour the bowlers, not only in India but everywhere.

"The importance of getting result-oriented wickets has become much more. In the old days, you just had to win a series against the team; you were not looking to win every Test match. Today the pressure on home teams to win all the games has increased because of the World Test Championship. That's why I think you are seeing slightly more wickets, which are favouring the bowlers too much. And not only in India, but everywhere," Dravid said as per ESPNcricinfo.

Dravid also said that while he was India's coach, he had seen the pressure of WTC points at times and believes results become an important factor in such situations, especially in home games.

"I have been only a coach when the World Test Championship is on, and I have certainly seen that the pressure of those points has at times made you ask for result-oriented wickets. No one wants to go to extremes, but certainly results are important, especially in your home games," he added.

India's World Test Championship (WTC) 2025/27 journey has been a mixed bag so far. They drew 2-2 with England last year, showcasing their fighting spirit, and then dominated West Indies with a 2-0 home whitewash. However, their campaign took a hit when South Africa swept them 2-0 at home.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

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Priya S
As a fan, I want to see competitive cricket, not matches ending in 2 days. The balance is lost. Yes, we need results, but what's the point if our own batters can't play on these pitches? The South Africa loss showed that.
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Rohit P
True talk from The Wall! The pressure is real. When you're playing at home, you're expected to win and get those 12 points. No one wants a draw. But sometimes I feel we overdo it with the pitch preparation, even in India.
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Sarah B
Interesting perspective. From outside, it always seemed like India prepared extreme turners. But if Dravid says it's a global trend due to WTC points pressure, that makes sense. The championship needs a points system that doesn't punish draws so harshly.
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Aman W
The real test of a great team is adapting to all conditions. Blaming pitches is an easy excuse. Our batters need to up their game on seaming tracks abroad and spinning tracks at home. WTC just exposes who's truly world-class. 🇮🇳
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Nisha Z
Respectfully, while I understand the pressure, as a coach he was part of the system asking for these pitches. It's a bit of a chicken and egg situation. Hope the next cycle sees a better balance. We want five days of thrilling cricket, not three-day finishes.

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