New Delhi: Days after the third One-Day International between India and the West Indies ended, veteran Indian off-spinner Hardik Pandya criticized the hosts' cricket board for their subpar facilities. Veteran Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has expressed similar views.

The West Indies situation was explained by Ashwin, who isn't playing in the ODI or T20I series against the Windies, and he emphasized how subpar some facilities are there. The off-spinner went so far as to say that it would be difficult for West Indies to produce top-notch cricketers in the years to come with such subpar infrastructure and conditions.

"I feel that if cricket should improve in a country, the primary improvement should start from the infrastructure. Even the U10, U12, and U14 kids from their country should get a decent net and ground. They should get the accessibility to play their matches.

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"This is a talent-driven sport and a hardworking sport. So, if a kid works hard, he or she will definitely get better. The infrastructure is really important," Ashwin said.

Ashwin didn't hold back when he mentioned the West Indies in particular, saying that the infrastructure for cricket there is subpar. Even examples from the recently concluded Test series between the two countries, in which he participated, were provided by the seasoned spinner.

"When it comes to West Indies, see, they are actually coming from different countries/islands like Antigua, Barbados, and they all represent West Indies together. So, if you ask me whether their infrastructure has developed well in all those islands? Actually, no.

"We played at the Barbados Test Center. While we practiced in the nets, there was no grass left on the surface. Their nets looked too old. I am not saying these things to blame them or anything. I actually feel really bad for them," said the marquee spinner.

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Ashwin believes that one of the factors contributing to the declining standard of cricket in the Caribbean islands is the inadequate infrastructure.

“If the infrastructure is like this in their Test center, then how hard their cricketers should work to get better? Because once they practice under these conditions and suddenly, when they come to India and play on a slightly quicker surface, it will be difficult for them to adjust.

"The pitches have become slower in West Indies. We should put a lot of effort into pitch maintenance. They are just cutting the grass and rolling it through in the name of pitch maintenance. I have already spoken about this topic. That's the easiest way to prepare a pitch. Because then the pitch will become dead and slow.”

"Once the cut grass gets air and with time, the pitch will start turning. Obviously, there was a bit of effort in pitch maintenance during the Test series from their end. But their infrastructure is not up to the standards when compared with other international teams," Ashwin further stressed.

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