India are pondering if their curators have gone too far after captain Rohit Sharma was bombarded with questions about the Indore pitch following a shock defeat to Australia.
Up 2-0 in the Border-Gavaskar series, India won the toss and batted at Holkar Stadium as they attempted to seal their spot in the World Test Championship final.
But India's plans came unstuck as their star batting line-up made just India 109 and 163 in the nine-wicket third Test loss.
The pitch prepared for the match in Indore is certain to come under the International Cricket Council microscope after the match finished 75 minutes into day three.
After 14 wickets fell on day one, another 16 tumbled on Thursday to set Australia on their way to a drought-breaking win.
Before the match, Sharma has raised the prospect of the fourth and final Test against in Ahmedabad being played on a green pitch to allow the hosts to prepare for the WTC decider, to be played at The Oval in London in June.
But the 35-year-old was aggrieved when asked about that potential scenario on Friday, telling the journalist to focus more on individual performances.
"This pitch talk is getting too much," Sharma said.
"Every time we play in India, it's always about the pitch.
"We focus too much on the pitch here in India and I feel that's not necessary."
India won the first two Tests in Nagpur and Delhi, with conditions dramatically suiting spinners.
But it was clear from day one in Indore, this pitch was going to offer even more for spinners as balls turned and bounced sharply.
"Former cricketers, I don't think they played on pitches like this," Sharma said.
"We want to play pitches like this - this is our strength.
"We want to play to our strength at home and not worry what the people outside are talking about. Our strength is spin and our batting depth.
"People have to play well for the game to last for five days.
"Games are not lasting for five days even outside India."
Acting Australia captain Steve Smith said Usman Khawaja and Indian No.3 Cheteshwar Pujara had proved runs could be scored on tough pitches.
"I personally I really enjoy playing on these kind of wickets, I prefer this than just a genuine flat wicket that goes five days and can be boring in stages," Smith said.
"Guys can do it, you've got to work hard for them and you need some luck.
"With this one, whether it might have been a little bit too extreme, potentially from the first ball. I'm not really entirely sure, but it was still enjoyable."
