Sunil Gavaskar

IND vs AUS 1st Test:

Sunil Gavaskar, the former captain of the Indian cricket team, strongly criticized Australia for 'playing mind games' against India before the Test series (India vs Australia) starting on 9 February.

The controversy started when Ian Healy commented on the proposed pitches in India and several former Australian cricketers (Australia on Nagpur Pitch) supported his claim.

Gavaskar cited the example of the Test match against South Africa in Brisbane which ended in two days and said the visitors were in no position to criticize.

Gavaskar wrote in his column for Mid-day, "The Australians have started mind games by talking about the pitches they played here last time they toured. In a country where a Test match is over in two days, He has no right to complain about Indian pitches. The Brisbane Test against South Africa was finished in two days. It's not just about the game being finished in two days, but the way the pitch was prepared. The ball was bouncing all over the place, it was dangerous to the life and limb of the batsman. The only issue on a turner is the reputation of the batsmen who are in danger."

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In the last few days, the Aussies have predicted the preferred pitch for India as a rank turner more than once.

Gavaskar said that the ability to play spin bowling properly is a mark of a good batsman and consequently such a pitch would be a challenge for both the sides.

The former Indian captain further wrote, "The two-day finale in Brisbane showed that even the best batsmen from both teams had their hearts in their mouths. Of course, some sections of the OG media made excuses saying it was a batsmen's game." , pitches like this give some chance to the bowlers. Oh yeah, then why do they criticize in the subcontinent when pitches turn from day one. Playing spin is the ultimate challenge for a 'batsman' as it tests his footwork and uses the crease to reduce turn. There is also a mind game with the bowler, so those who score a hundred or more in the subcontinent will be recognized as great batsmen." 

The first Test match between India and Australia (IND vs AUS 1st Test) will be played in Nagpur from Thursday.

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