Former Indian cricket captain Sunil Gavaskar has expressed strong criticism towards Australian and English cricket pundits, accusing them of double standards in their assessments of pitch conditions. His comments came after a dramatic second day of the fifth Test between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), where 15 wickets fell, highlighting the challenging nature of the pitch.
Gavaskar pointed out that if a similar situation had occurred in India, with 15 wickets falling in a single day, there would have been significant outcry and criticism directed at the pitch conditions. He emphasized that Indian players and former cricketers typically do not complain about challenging pitches abroad, choosing instead to adapt and compete without excuses. “Former Australian and English cricketers are all the time talking about Indian pitches and conditions. We are not moaners. We are not whingers,” Gavaskar remarked, highlighting the resilience and adaptability of Indian cricketers.
The SCG pitch for this Test was notably green, with significant grass cover, a condition that even surprised former Australian pacer Glenn McGrath. Gavaskar noted that despite these challenging conditions, there was a lack of criticism from Indian players or pundits, contrasting this with the frequent critiques Indian pitches receive when they favor spin. “We had Glenn McGrath saying he’d never seen so much grass. Did you hear any former India cricketer moan about the pitch?” Gavaskar questioned, underscoring the perceived hypocrisy in pitch assessments.
The former captain’s remarks highlight a broader issue in international cricket regarding the perception and criticism of pitch conditions. Gavaskar’s stance suggests a need for a more balanced and fair assessment of playing surfaces worldwide, recognizing that challenging conditions are a part of the game, regardless of the location.