November 23, 2024: Irfan Pathan’s humorous observation about the changing nature of the Perth pitch during the opening Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia perfectly captured the dramatic shift in conditions that took place over just two days. On Day 1, the pitch was a bowler’s dream, with grass cover providing plenty of bounce and movement, allowing the pacers to make the most of the conditions. But by Day 2, the pitch had transformed significantly, with cracks appearing and the surface becoming far less responsive for fast bowlers.
Pathan, known for his witty comments, took to X (formerly Twitter) to share a cheeky analogy: “Itna jaldi to meri wife ka mood bhi change nahi hota jitni jaldi ye pitch badli hai” — which roughly translates to: “My wife’s mood doesn’t change this quickly, as much as this pitch has!”
His lighthearted remark resonated with cricket fans who found it amusing that the pitch conditions could change so dramatically in such a short span. The comparison to his wife’s mood only added a layer of humor to the situation!
On the field, Australia’s pacers had been in fine form on Day 1, rattling India’s top order with some fiery pace. KL Rahul’s 26 was crucial, and debutants Nitish Kumar Reddy and Rishabh Pant added some spark with their attacking strokeplay, particularly Pant, who looked in great touch. Reddy top-scored for India with a composed 41, and Pant contributed 37, as India finished the day at 150 — a score that would depend heavily on their bowling attack.
When it was India’s turn to bowl, the pace trio of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and debutant Harshit Rana was exceptional. Bumrah, leading the attack in the absence of regular captain Rohit Sharma, was the standout performer, picking up 5 wickets for just 30 runs. His spell was pivotal in Australia’s collapse to just 104, giving India a valuable 46-run lead.
Following Australia’s collapse, India’s opening pair of Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul took full advantage of the flattening surface, building a commanding position for India. With the pitch continuing to change over the course of the match, the contrast between the fiery first day and the placid conditions that followed was a major talking point — and Irfan Pathan’s comment brought some levity to the discussion.
