Sunil Gavaskar thinks that the Australians, as usual, have been playing mind tricks.
Before the crucial four-match Test series against India, which is scheduled to start on February 9, Indian batting veteran Sunil Gavaskar criticised the Australian side for playing mind games. Australia has been moaning about how the Indian surfaces favour spinners and don’t do much for fast bowlers.
Ian Healy, a former wicketkeeper for Australia, criticised India for delivering “unfair” wickets in January 2023. The veteran cricketer continued by predicting that the Australians wouldn’t prevail if the pitch conditions were the same this time. Since Mahesh Pithiya’s bowling movement remarkably resembles that of Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, Australia also invited him to join them for a training session.
“The Australian team has already begun playing mind tricks by mentioning the available pitches from their previous visit. A nation that allows Test matches to be completed in two days has no right to complain about Indian fields. In just two days, the South Africa game in Brisbane was over. It’s not just that the game ends in two days, but also the type of pitch that was constructed. It was hazardous to life and limb since the ball was flying everywhere. On a turner, the only thing at stake is the batters’ reputation, not their life or limb, “In his Mid-Day editorial, Gavaskar wrote.
Why complain when Indian pitches start to change after Day One? Sunil Gavaskar
The Gabba Test, which was played in December 2022 between Australia and South Africa, had a total of 34 wickets fall in in two days. The pitch in Brisbane received a “below average” grade from the ICC after the Proteas scored 152 and 99 in both of their innings and Australia responded with 218 and 35/4.
“Even the finest batters of both sides had their hearts in their mouths, as the two-day conclusion in Brisbane demonstrated. Of course, several Australian media outlets offered justifications, claiming that since it is a hitters’ game, a pitch like that provides the bowlers some hope. Then why crib when the pitches in the subcontinent start to change on Day One? The greatest test of a “batter’s” footwork and ability to use the crease to negate the turn comes when he plays spin. The subcontinent would recognise those who make a century or more as outstanding batters since there are mental tricks played on the bowler as well “Gavaskar continued.
The VCA Stadium in Nagpur will host the Border-Gavaskar Trophy match, while Dharamshala, Delhi, and Ahmedabad will hold the following three contests. Following the Tests, a three-match ODI series between India and Australia will begin on March 17.
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