NEW DELHI: Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar took a dig at the Australian approach to pitch discussions, remarking that the green top at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) has not sparked criticism from former Indian players. He contrasted this with the uproar typically seen when a spin-friendly pitch is prepared in India.
“Oh, very much. Justin Langer, who’s played in Australia, has said he’s never seen so much grass on a pitch. But what you would have noticed is that no former Indian player has complained or whined about it. If a pitch in India is bereft of grass and looks like it’s going to turn, so many former players from different parts of the world criticise our pitches. But former Indian players rarely complain because we understand the importance of adapting to overseas conditions,” Gavaskar said on Star Sports when asked about the grass on the pitch.
On Day 1, India opted to bat first without regular captain Rohit Sharma and were bundled out for 185. Scott Boland led the Australian attack with figures of 4/31, while Mitchell Starc chipped in with three wickets, leaving the visitors struggling.
India’s top order faltered early, with KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal falling cheaply, and Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli unable to make significant contributions. Amid the collapse, Rishabh Pant showcased resilience, handling Australia’s relentless bowling while enduring multiple painful blows to his biceps, helmet, and abdomen. The team physio was called out several times as Pant battled through the discomfort.
Pant’s gritty innings included a straight six off debutant Beau Webster and a sharp cut shot off Nathan Lyon, though his primary focus remained survival. His knock of 40 off 98 balls ended when a short delivery from Boland induced a mistimed shot, caught by Pat Cummins at mid-wicket. Pant’s 48-run stand with Ravindra Jadeja, spanning 151 balls, offered a brief respite for India.
Boland continued to pile on the pressure, dismissing debutant Nitish Kumar Reddy for a golden duck on the very next ball.
Reflecting on the SCG surface, Gavaskar said, “I haven’t seen so much grass on a Sydney pitch in the past. Probably, the grass cover is on the higher side compared to other pitches in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. The batting is tough, and the visiting batters are not able to connect the bat with the ball.”
In a lighter moment, he joked, “Cows would have grazed confidently on the pitch in Sydney.”
Gavaskar praised Pant’s courage and adaptability, noting the stark contrast in pitch conditions compared to the previous Test.
“Rishabh Pant is putting his body on the line for India, and that’s exactly what you need to do on a pitch like this, where tough questions will be asked. It’s easy to underestimate how challenging it is. Look at the previous Test – this one is nastier,” he added.
