Former Indian opener Sunil Gavaskar has found himself at the receiving end of criticism after his comments on the Indian bowling attack didn’t go too well with the fans. After India’s defeat in the 3rd Test match, Gavaskar talked about the pitch debate in the ongoing India-Australia series and stated why India opted for rank turners in the series so far.
Sunil Gavaskar Made A Bold Remark On India’s Bowling Attack
Gavaskar also passed a bold remark on India’s bowling attack and revealed the combination is forcing team India to make dry pitches to take 20 wickets. Speaking on India Today, Gavaskar said:
“Taking 20 wickets is not going to be easy in India. On a lot of Indian pitches, without your ace bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami and a slightly inexperienced Mohammed Siraj, I don’t think that bowling attack is such (strong). But with a little bit of help from a dry pitch, India can probably take 20 wickets. I think that is the thinking behind preparing such pitches,”
Further, Gavaskar further asserted that team India’s considerations were significantly influenced by the forthcoming World Test Championship (WTC) final and that, in these circumstances, spinners had to be used to their maximum potential. Additionally, he stated that India did not want to create a flat pitch where batters would have scored runs. He said:
“For India to reach the World Test Championship Final, they did not have any other options (than producing turning tracks). If you would have had a strong attack, maybe you could have done something different but your strength is your spinners and therefore I think these pitches are being made. You do not want a flat pitch where the batters go out and dominate. These pitches are testing the temperament of the batters,”
India has only used two pacers in the starting XI so far in the series in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah. Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj played the first two games, and Umesh Yadav played the third test as Shami’s substitute. Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, and Ravichandran Ashwin have so far made up a potent spin combination for India in the series.
Meanwhile, Gavaskar’s comments didn’t go down well with the fans, who are slamming the cricketer left, right, and center.
Check out the reactions of fans:
If India's bowling is weak,then how come we have lost just 3 tests at home in last 10 years????
— Cricket (@rajdev_hirday) March 6, 2023
It's batters who aren't performing, it's bowlers who have saved the asses all around the world in every condition. See the contribution of even pace bowlers on rank Turner they're picking wickts. They are also scoring for your batters.
— Sporting Beyond (@Sportingbyond) March 6, 2023
Top order batting has been poor for a while now, bowling overall no issues for me. Batting wise been let down multiple times.
— AR (@Edge2slip) March 6, 2023
Change series name to Warne – Tendulkar trophy
— 𝔖𝕴𝔎𝔄𝔑𝔇𝔄𝕽 ⚔️ (@SIK__AND__AR) March 6, 2023
https://twitter.com/rammsays/status/1632712981929684993?s=20
Just wanna know if sunny ji is living in a whole other world than what others live in.
I cannot for a million bucks understand his statements or analysis. 🙏— Padmasree (@Padmasree05) March 6, 2023
Bowlers are carrying the burden of batsmen, scoring a decent total. Lower middle order batsmen are saving us each time.
— IntrovertOz (@IntrovertOzee) March 6, 2023
Everytime feel to not abuse such legendary cricketer but every bloody time gives nonsense opinions . Just Fed up now
— Pratham (@Pratham_Padu) March 6, 2023
Batting got bundled out for 200 twice but the blame goes to bowlers. Literally because of their batting efforts india is still ahead in the series.
— ItsAaryan (@Itsaaryan_1) March 6, 2023
