Ben Stokes becomes one of 67 England wickets to fall to Indian spinners in the 2021 four-Test series Photo: AP/Aijaz Rahi < p>Sunil Gavaskar has defended India's pitch preparations and criticized the “moaning and moaning” about them during the England Test tour, just weeks away.
Letter to Mid-Day, Gavaskar reveals of the New Year's Test between South Africa and India at Newlands, which was completed in less than two days and became the shortest Test in history. India won to level the two-match series 1-1, but the piquant delivery drew widespread criticism.
Gavaskar, however, sees a difference in the reception given to the turning pitches in India (the one expected from England's visit) compared to what has just been seen in South Africa. He expects “whining and groaning” if England do go out.
“I have always maintained that a pitch on which the batter is in physical danger is far more dangerous than a pitch where only the batter's reputation is at stake . threat,” Gavaskar wrote.
“During a television report on the second day of the second Test, Shaun Pollock, the former South African captain, said the curator had made a mistake. That's what was said about the field in Brisbane in 2022, when Australia and South Africa played a match in which the spectators held their hearts in their mouths for fear of injuring the batter.
Sunil Gavaskar said that South Africa, England, New Zealand and Australia have not yet reached an agreement with the Indian government. Photo: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images
“Such excuses that the curator made a mistake are typical in SENA countries (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia). When our handlers speak dryly, it is “nitpicking”, as the former Australian captain said last year after the Australians were defeated in the first two Test matches.
“So our gardeners are doing it on purpose, but their gardeners are just making mistakes. It's like before we had judges from third countries where their judges' decisions were justified by “human error” while our judges were crooks, “Delhi butchers” and all such derogatory headlines.”
“In about three weeks, another Test series will begin with the country that has the most media whining and moaning in sport. Anything that doesn't suit their team will be criticized and accusations will come quickly.”
Gavaskar said there is a “concerted effort to malign” Indian cricket among countries like England.
“Ever since India emerged as a sporting power and rightfully began to assert itself in the ICC boardrooms, there has been a concerted effort by representatives of the Old Powers to denigrate it. They come with an agenda and, no matter what, they will tell stories about how to get cakes at home.
“It would be great if our media took up the challenge and took them word for word . It will be an encounter that can be savored as thoroughly as what unfolds on the ground.
“Is this too much to hope for? We'll find out soon.”
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