Cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar fiercely defended the Indian pitches after the chaotic second day of the ongoing fifth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) in Sydney on Saturday, January 4.
After falling a staggering 15 wickets on the second day of the ongoing New Year's Test, the former Indian captain took the spotlight on the grass surface at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), criticizing the track for its challenging nature. He also pointed out the blatant double standards in on-field criticism among former cricketers.
Sunil Gavaskar slams double standards and slams SCG pitch with 15 wickets falling
Sunil Gavaskar has expressed frustration at the way Indian stadiums often face harsh scrutiny, but difficult conditions abroad rarely spark similar anger among former cricketers and cricket experts. Highlighting the green SCG pitch that had amazed even Glenn McGrath, he mentioned how former Indian players have yet to complain despite its obvious difficulty.
The legendary batsman stressed that if such a pitch had been prepared in India, every Australian would have gone out to war. The well-known commentator also stressed that the Indian cricket team always faces external challenges without making excuses, and if it loses, it accepts them with grace.
After the second day's stumps 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. Glenn McGrath said he had never seen so much grass before.” “Have you heard any former Indian cricketer complaining about the field? When we go out and play cricket, we will come out hard and if we are batted abroad, it is very difficult to beat the home teams.”
The cows could have gone and graze on it: Sunil Gavaskar
Gavaskar also raised concerns about the SCG surface, saying this is not a proper Test match, as the game seems unlikely to spill over into the fourth day between India and Australia. On a funny note, the former Indian captain also joked that the Sydney Stadium was so full of grass that it could have easily been a grazing ground for cows.
He further noted: “I said that when we saw the pitch yesterday, the cows could have gone and grazed on it. This is not the ideal Test match you want because you want to go on the fourth and fifth day. Unless there is rain, I don't see us being here on the fourth day.” .
Also Read: Virat Kohli's Direction Is Very Easy? Andrew Macdonald makes a tremendous statement
Sunil Gavaskar takes aim at Australian and English pundits over criticism of Indian pitch after 15-wicket fall in Sydney
Meanwhile, hitting back at former Australian and English cricketers who often criticize Indian pitches, Sunil Gavaskar said Indians never complain about outside conditions.
He pointed out the double standards, pointing out that if 15 wickets had fallen in one day in India, there would have been a massive protest, but Indian cricketers are not complaining about the pitch conditions at the SCG.
“Ex-English and Australian cricketers always talk about Indian pitches and conditions. We are not complaining. We are not complainers. You will never find us complaining, but 15 wickets in one day in India, it will be hell,” Gavaskar signed off.