Gavaskar Slams 'Mind-Boggling' Hypocrisy in Pitch Debate After Australia's Two-Day Win
Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar calls out double standards in how pitches are judged in India versus overseas.
Sunil Gavaskar has reignited the debate over Test pitches after Australia's second Test against Bangladesh in Mackay ended inside just two days. The hosts won by an innings and 51 runs, with pace and seam doing the damage. Gavaskar, writing in his column, pointed out the stark contrast in how such outcomes are perceived depending on the venue.
Gavaskar noted that when a Test in India finishes early, there is immediate criticism about spin-friendly pitches, with insinuations against the BCCI and Indian cricket. However, when a match in Australia ends quickly due to pace, bounce, and seam movement, the narrative shifts to the batting side's ineptitude against fast bowling. He described this double standard as 'brazen' and 'mind-boggling', questioning why overseas batters are not similarly scrutinized for failing against spin.
The match in Mackay saw Bangladesh dismissed for 64 and 95, while Australia managed 210 in their second innings. With the game lasting only 125 overs, Gavaskar's comments highlight a persistent bias in how pitches are evaluated across different cricketing nations.