Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has slammed the critics of Indian pitches in the four-match Test series between India and England by saying the “discussion should have been around bowling and batting, not about the pitches” for the matches.
There has been widespread criticism of Indian pitches from a section of former England cricketers, including Michael Vaughan, Andrew Strauss, and Alastair Cook after India beat the tourists comprehensively in the second and third Test to take a 2-1 lead in the four-match Test series.
However, Gavaskar felt there is no need to give much attention to foreign players about Indian pitches.
Gavaskar said on Star Sports, “The discussion should have been around bowling and batting. The batsmen got bowled or were given LBW; how can we call it a bad pitch? Why do we give this much importance to foreign players? Why should we discuss what they are saying?”
He also pointed out that none of the current England squad players had any problems with the pitches used so far in the Test series, so there was no need to give importance to what others say.
The legendary batsman continued, “When we will not give them importance, they will learn the lesson. Till the time they know that they will get importance and publicity, they will keep doing it. England team did not complain. Joe Root did not complain.”
He further explained his point by saying Indian legends like Kapil Dev, Sourav Ganguly and Virender Sehwag never complained or talked about the pitches when India got bowled out for 36 in Adelaide.
Gavaskar signed off by saying, “When India got all out on 36 runs, are the comments of Kapil Dev, (Sachin) Tendulkar, (Sourav) Ganguly, or (Virender) Sehwag has given importance by that country's media or TV channel? Not at all. Then why are we giving importance to them.”
