Cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar fiercely defended the Indian grounds after a chaotic second day of the fifth and final Test of the ongoing 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) from Sydney on Saturday 4th January.
After 15 wickets fell on Day 2 of the ongoing New Year Test, the former Indian captain turned his attention to the grass surface at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), criticizing the track for its challenging nature. He also pointed out the glaring double standards in on-field criticism among former cricketers.
Sunil Gavaskar bats double standards, criticizes SCG pitch as 15 wickets fall
Sunil Gavaskar has expressed his frustration at how Indian pitches often face harsh scrutiny, but harsh conditions overseas rarely spark similar outrage among former cricketers and cricket pundits. Highlighting the lush green SCG pitch that stunned even Glenn McGrath, he noted that former Indian players have yet to complain despite its clear difficulty.
The legendary batsman pointed out that if such a pitch had been prepared in India, then every Australian would have gone out to war. The noted commentator also pointed out that the Indian cricket team always faces foreign challenges without making excuses and if they lose, they accept it gracefully.
After the stumps on Day 2 at the SCG, Sunil Gavaskar said on ABC Grandstand Radio, “If 15 wickets had fallen (in one day) in India, all hell would have broken loose. I had Glenn McGrath say he had never seen so much grass. Have you heard any ex-Indian cricketers moaning about the pitch? When we go out and play cricket, we will manage. And if we're beaten, we're beaten. Abroad, it's very difficult to beat home teams.”
The cows could have gone and grazed on him: Sunil Gavaskar
Gavaskar also raised concerns about the SCG surface, saying it was not a proper Test match as it looked unlikely that the game would stretch into the fourth day between India and Australia. On a hilarious note, the former Indian captain also joked that the Sydney ground was so grassy that it could have easily served as a grazing ground for cows.
He also mentioned: “I said when I saw the field yesterday, the cows could have gone and grazed on it. This is not the ideal ground for the Test match you want because you want it to go into the fourth and fifth day. If it doesn't rain, I can't see we're here on the fourth day.”
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Sunil Gavaskar takes aim at Australian and English pundits over Indian criticism after 15 wickets fell in Sydney
Meanwhile, Sunil Gavaskar hit back at former Australian and English cricketers who very often criticize Indian pitches and said that Indians never complain about foreign conditions.
He pointed out the double standards, saying that if 15 wickets had fallen in one day in India, there would have been a massive outcry, but Indian cricketers are not complaining about the pitch conditions at the SCG.
Gavaskar concluded by saying, “Former English and Australian cricketers talk about Indian pitches and conditions all the time. We are not mourners; we are not whiners. You will never find us complaining, but 15 ports in a day in India, that would be hell.