BGT 2024: “No former Indian player has whined about it,” Sunil Gavaskar on unusual grassy pitch served for SCG Test

India's first innings at SCG folded for a paltry 185 in 72.2 overs.

Visuals from the Sydney Test between India and Australia | GettyBatting legend Sunil Gavaskar highlighted the unusually grassy pitch at the Sydney Cricket Ground while also adding how former Indian players have refrained from criticizing it during the ongoing fifth and final Test between India and Australia.

Indian batters failed to adapt to the green SCG wicket as the visitors were bowled out for a paltry 185 in 72.2 overs on Day 1 of the match.

"Oh, very much," Gavaskar responded when asked about the grass on the pitch. "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 criticize our pitches. But former Indian players rarely complain because we understand the importance of adapting to overseas conditions."

Rishabh Pant was the top scorer for India with 40 off 98 balls. During his innings, the wicketkeeper-batter took multiple body blows from the fiery deliveries of Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland.

Not the one to mince his words, Gavaskar was taken aback by the pitch's grass cover. Speaking on Star Sports, he remarked, "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."

On a lighter note, Gavaskar also said, "Cows would have grazed confidently on the pitch in Sydney."

The 75-year-old praised Pant for his bravery and adaptability, pointing out the stark difference between the challenges posed by this surface and those from the previous Test at SCG.

"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," Gavaskar stated.

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 03 Jan, 2025

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