Renowned cricketer Sunil Gavaskar sheds light on potential pitch scrutiny, echoing India captain Rohit Sharma’s recent comments. The cricketing veteran, known for his candid views, addresses what he perceives as double standards from traditional cricketing powers such as England and Australia.
After India’s challenging tour of South Africa, where the pitches were notably favorable to fast bowlers, Rohit Sharma defended the nature of Indian pitches. Gavaskar, supporting Rohit’s stance, highlights the captain’s acknowledgment of the challenges posed by playing on diverse surfaces.
In his column for Mid-Day, Gavaskar underscores Rohit’s plea not to question pitches in India when they start turning on Day One. However, Gavaskar acknowledges the difficulty in achieving this request, noting a historical trend of concerted efforts to denigrate India by representatives of the so-called Old Powers in cricket.
During England’s previous tour of India, the host pitches faced considerable criticism, with some former England cricketers even suggesting a deliberate strategy to hinder England’s competitiveness. Despite the controversy, India secured a decisive 3-1 series win.
As England prepares for the upcoming five-match Test series starting on January 25, Gavaskar anticipates that discussions around pitch conditions will likely resurface. He emphasizes a perceived agenda carried by representatives of cricketing nations considered part of the traditional cricketing elite.
