Legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar was not too happy with the pitch produced for the fourth and final test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy. The pitch was better for batting even on the fifth day offering no spin off the surface. The pitch was a huge topic of discussion in this edition of BGT. Earlier, the International Cricket Council (ICC), on Friday (March 3), gave a ‘poor’ rating to the pitch in Indore’s Holkar Stadium.
Sunil Gavaskar who was part of Star Sports voiced his opinion on the Ahmedabad pitch during Day 5, and questioned is this kind of pitch that Australian media and experts that play test cricket taking a dig on Australian experts who criticized India’s pitch preparation for the first three tests and added the bowlers had no nothing to bowl on these kinds of surfaces.
“If you give an honest look at what has happened, on the last session on Day 4, and even the first innings of both teams were not completed. So all those who were talking about the pitches in the earlier three Tests about what the pitch is – Yes, no game should finish in 3 days either; I gather that. But is this what you want for Test cricket? Where on the 4th day, the first innings of both teams were not complete,” Sunil Gavaskar said.
India outplayed Australia 2-1 in the series to qualify for the world test championship finale. As India qualified for the WTC final for the second time in a row will face stiff competition from Australia in a condition that would favour pacers.
I Do Sunil Gavaskar Was Trying To Say – Matthew Hayden
Matthew Hayden didn’t agree with Sunil Gavaskar over his remark on the pitch, who earlier lashed out at Indore pitch stating this kind of pitch is not good for red-ball cricket.
The former Australian opener said the pitch should be prepared which has an even contest with the bat and ball and also stressed the spectators enjoy this kind of innings from the batters.
“I do understand what Sunny G was trying to say. I appreciate and respect also that this wicket has gone another way. The general point of view I have on all wickets – doesn’t matter where it is played – is that it should produce an even contest. There has to be a result because that’s what is needed for Test cricket. But also, have a look at the crowd attendance,” Hayden said.
The final and fourth tests had a good crowd on the first day with over 60,000 people watching the match in the world’s largest stadium and they were 25,000 people came on Sunday to watch the iconic series. This is India’s fourth straight series win over Australia in Test cricket.