Even before a ball is bowled in the Border-Gavaskar 2023 Trophy, the talks of pitch have started grabbing headlines.
The way wicket is being prepared for the opening Test in Nagpur, spinners are expected to rule the roost and the outrage has already begun in the Australian cricket circle.
On social media, plenty of Australian fans, experts and their former cricketers are accusing the BCCI of doctoring the strip.
Amid the hue and cry, Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has responded fiercely, stating that Australia have no right to complain about the quality of Indian pitches as their own wickets have come under the scanner.
Gavaskar cited the example of the pitch served for the Test between Australia and South Africa in December 2022 at Gabba, where the match got over in two days.
"The Aussies have started the mind games by talking about the pitches that were on offer when they toured here last. A country where a Test match finishes in two days has no right to moan about Indian pitches. The Brisbane game against South Africa finished in two days. It's not just the matter of the game finishing in two days, but the kind of pitch that was prepared. With the ball flying all over the place it was dangerous to life and limb. On a turner the only issue is the reputation of batters that is in danger and not their life and limb," Gavaskar wrote in his column for Mid-Day.
During the Gabba Test, a total of 143 overs were bowled across all four innings. While South Africa were bundled out for 152 and 99, Australia replied with 218 and 35/4.
The pitch was criticized by the international cricket fraternity and the ICC also gave it a 'below average' rating.
"What the two-day finish in Brisbane showed was that even the best batters of both teams had their hearts in their mouths. Of course, some sections of the Oz media made excuses saying since it’s a batters game, a pitch like that gives the bowlers some chance. Oh yeah, then why crib when the pitches in the sub-continent turn from Day one. Playing spin is the ultimate challenge for a 'batter as it tests his footwork and the use of the crease to nullify the turn. There are mind games with the bowler too, that's why those who score a century or more in the sub-continent will be recognised as great batters," added Gavaskar.
The much-awaited Test series between India and Australia is slated to get underway on February 9 in Nagpur. Delhi will host the second Test from February 17 while Dharamshala and Ahmedabad will stage the third and fourth Tests from March 1 and March 9, respectively.
