Former players criticise 'three-day' Kotla pitch

New Delhi (PTI): The Feroze Shah Kotla pitch for the fourth and final Test between India and Australia has come under criticism from the former players, who have termed the track as a "three-day" wicket. The pitch, which has cracks on it, saw some balls keeping low, while others flying off after hitting the deck. There were sideways movements from the cracks when pacer Ishant Sharma was bowling from the Old Club house end. The wicket has typical Kotla characteristics -- slightly slow and is likely to keep low and will turn as the match progresses. With cracks on it, the pitch would provide ample turn to the Indian spinners as the hosts try to inflict a rare series whitewash on the Australians. Expected to play truant during the match, the Indian spinners is likely to enjoy themselves on a bald, dry surface. Former India mainstay, VVS Laxman, while commentating, described it as "looking like a third-day pitch" and batting should prove more and more difficult as the match progresses. Another former India player, Ravi Shastri said that the Test might be a "three-day" affair during his pitch report before the start of the play. Former Pakistan captain and noted commentator, Ramiz Raja said, "Earlier, it looked like a three-day wicket to me but now its opening up as the match is progressing. "It would be too early to predict the nature of the pitch. There are cracks, which will provide good turn to the spinners. We need to wait and see before commenting on its nature," he told PTI.