The second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at Adelaide turned into a spectacle of cricketing highs and lows, particularly remembered for Travis Head’s breathtaking 140 when Australia were at a shaky 191-5, leading by just 11 runs. His innings not only bailed out his team but also set the tone for an aggressive Australian comeback, leading to a substantial lead of 157 runs. The match, however, wasn’t without its drama; a heated exchange ensued after Mohammed Siraj bowled Head, amplifying the competitive spirit of the series. Despite this, India’s batting crumbled, setting a target of only 19 runs for Australia, which they chased down in a mere 3.2 overs, sealing a 10-wicket victory by the end of day 3. Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins were the destroyers-in-chief with 8 and 5 wickets respectively, underlining Australia’s bowling dominance.
In the wake of this defeat, legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar offered stern yet constructive advice to the Indian team. “Look at the remainder of the series as a three-match series. Forget it was a five-Test series. What I would like this Indian team to do is use the next couple of days for practice. It’s very important. You can’t be sitting in your hotel room or wherever you’re going because you have come here to play cricket,” Sunil Gavaskar emphasized. His words were not just a call to action but also a reminder of the purpose behind their long stay in Australia for this prestigious series.
Sunil Gavaskar further detailed the importance of utilizing the extra days gained from the match ending early. “You don’t have to practice the whole day. You can practice a session in the morning or afternoon, whichever time you choose, but do not waste these days. You would have been here playing a Test match if the Test match were to go on for five days. You have to get yourself that much more time to get into the rhythm because you have not got the runs. Your bowlers haven’t got the rhythm. There are others too who need time in the middle,” he added, highlighting the necessity of rhythm and match practice for both batting and bowling units.
The former Indian captain also expressed his skepticism about the concept of optional practice. “This optional practice session is something that I don’t believe. The decision for optional training should rest with the captain and the coach. The coach should say, ‘Hey, you hit 150, you don’t need to come to practice. Hey, you bowled 40 overs in the match, you don’t need to come to practice.’ They should not be given the option. If you give the players that option, a lot of them, especially the certainties, will say, ‘No, I am going to stay in my room.’ And that’s not what Indian cricket needs. Indian cricket needs people who are totally dedicated to their cause. It’s an honour and privilege to be playing for India.”
Sunil Gavaskar concluded with a practical look at the schedule ahead. “I counted the number of days they will be here. It’s 57 days in Australia. Out of those 57, if you count out five matches, then you are left with 32 days, two matches for the PM XI. Thirty days, they were going to get off. They had one extra day off in Perth, now two in Adelaide. My request to them is to please come and practice. Again, Bumrah doesn’t have to practice. If Rohit and Virat don’t have to practice, that’s fine, because they are experienced players. Let the others come out and practice,” he added.
As the Indian team prepares for the third Test on December 14, 2024, words said by Sunil Gavaskar serve as a rallying cry for dedication, hard work, and the spirit of never giving up, emphasizing that the journey in cricket is as much about resilience and preparation as it is about talent.
