Gavaskar Points Out Silence of Former Indian Players on SCG Pitch Grass

Sydney, Jan 3 (NationPress) Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar directed some criticism at Australia, stating that the lush surface at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) has not generated any complaints from former Indian players. He remarked that had it been a spin-friendly pitch in India, the visitors would have reacted strongly.

"Oh, indeed. Justin Langer, a player with experience in Australia, mentioned he has never observed so much grass on a pitch. However, it's noteworthy that no former Indian player has raised any issues about it. When a pitch in India lacks grass and appears ready to turn, numerous former players from various nations criticize our conditions. Yet, former Indian players don’t often voice complaints because we recognize the necessity of adapting to foreign environments," Gavaskar stated on Star Sports when questioned about the grass on the pitch.

On Day 1, India chose to bat first in the absence of regular captain Rohit Sharma, only to be bowled out for a mere 185 runs. Scott Boland claimed 4 wickets for 31 runs, and Mitchell Starc picked up three wickets, leaving the visiting team with a modest total.

The openers, KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal, fell early, with Shubman Gill stepping in for the rested Rohit, and Virat Kohli also failing to make significant contributions. In the midst of a batting collapse, Rishabh Pant emerged as a standout, managing to absorb the pressure from Australia's relentless bowling.

Pant endured several painful blows to his biceps, helmet, and abdomen, requiring regular assistance from the team physiotherapist. Despite the discomfort, he showcased his characteristic grit and aggression, hitting a powerful straight six off debutant Beau Webster and a sharp cut shot off Nathan Lyon. Nevertheless, his primary focus remained on survival during his innings.

Pant’s determined knock concluded at 40 runs from 98 balls when a short-pitched delivery from Scott Boland led to a mistimed shot, with Pat Cummins taking the catch at mid-wicket. His partnership with Ravindra Jadeja added 48 runs off 151 balls, providing a brief glimmer of hope amidst the struggles.

Boland further compounded India's woes by dismissing debutant Nitish Kumar Reddy for a golden duck on the very next ball.

"I have never encountered so much grass on a Sydney pitch before. The grass cover is likely more pronounced compared to other pitches in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. Batting is proving to be difficult, and the visiting batters are struggling to make contact with the ball," Gavaskar remarked.

In a light-hearted moment, he joked, "Cows would have grazed quite comfortably on the pitch in Sydney."

The SCG pitch has drawn parallels with challenging surfaces from previous Test matches. Gavaskar praised Pant's bravery and adaptability, emphasizing the stark contrast in pitch conditions from the last match.

"Rishabh Pant is putting his body on the line for India, which is precisely what is required on a pitch like this, where difficult questions will arise. It’s easy to underestimate how challenging it is. Compare it to the previous Test - this one is much tougher," he added.