Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar slammed the SENA media for complaining about turning pitches in India and other Asian countries following the flurry of wickets on the first day of the second and final Test between India and South Africa at Newlands cricket ground.
A total of 23 wickets fell in a dramatic battle between the two teams in Cape Town on Wednesday, January 3, 2024. After opting to bat first, the hosts were dismissed for just 55 runs. Then, the Indian innings took a hit, collapsing from 153/4 to 153 all out, losing six wickets without adding a single run.
Then South Africa ended day one on 62/3, with a total of 23 wickets falling.
While opinions among fans and cricket pundits varied after the wicket fell in Cape Town, Gavaskar had no issues with the Newlands track. However, the legend questioned why the SENA media complained about turning pitches in India and Asian countries.
He stressed that a batter's skill is truly tested on rank-turners, as it allows players to showcase all the shots in their arsenal.
Sunil Gavaskar said on Star Sports: “This is what test cricket is all about. You are going to be tested. And I honestly believe I've always believed that if you cannot play on pitches where the ball turns into the batter, you know there is a tendency amongst the SENA country's media, particularly if you think that you know, if you can't play on fast, bouncy pitches, you're not a batter.”
He added, “I'm sorry. You are not a batter if you can't play the turning pitch because over here for the bouncy pitch, there are two movements here. There for four spinners, where the ball is turning, you've got to go down the pitch. You've got to use the crease. All the shots can be exhibited. So that's you know what? I think, sadly, you know, our media should be actually writing about this.”
Gavaskar signed off by saying, “You know, our media should be talking about the fact that you know, but our media is so dependent sometimes not all the time on getting interviews with players, so they do not want to upset anybody. So, they will not question the batting ability of some of the overseas guys because of that. But that's the way.”
(With Star Sports/PTI Inputs)
