Former Indian cricket captain Sunil Gavaskar criticized the grassy pitch at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) during the New Year’s Test, calling attention to what he described as double standards in pitch criticism. Speaking on ABC Grandstand Radio after Day 2, Gavaskar compared the reactions to spin-friendly pitches in India with the relatively muted responses to difficult conditions abroad.
“If 15 wickets fell [on one day] in India, all hell would have broken loose,” Gavaskar said. He noted that the green SCG surface even surprised former Australian pacer Glenn McGrath but added that no former Indian cricketers complained about the pitch’s challenging nature.
The cricket legend suggested that pitches like the one at SCG would have sparked widespread criticism if they were prepared in India. “I did say that when we saw the pitch yesterday, the cows could have gone and grazed on it. This is not the ideal Test match pitch that you want because you want it to go into a fourth and fifth day,” Gavaskar said.
He also emphasized the resilience of Indian cricketers when facing foreign conditions. “When we go out and play cricket, we will tough it out. And if we are beaten, we are beaten. Overseas it’s very difficult to beat home teams,” he said.
Gavaskar concluded by addressing what he views as biased commentary from some former English and Australian players. “Former English and Australian cricketers all the time talk about the Indian pitches and conditions. We’re not moaners; we’re not whingers. You’ll never find us complaining, but 15 wickets in a day in India, there would be hell,” he said. (Newswire)
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