Sunil Gavaskar questions double standards over Australia’s Mackay pitch after 2-day Test

Former India cricket team">India cricket team">India captain Sunil Gavaskar has questioned the apparent double standards in the way Test pitches are assessed after Australia’s clash against Bangladesh in Mackay ended inside two days.

Australia bounced back in the two-Test series with a dominant innings-and-51-run victory under Pat Cummins. The hosts did not allow Bangladesh to cross the 100-run mark in either innings, ensuring the series finished level at 1-1.

Writing in his column, Gavaskar highlighted that four Tests in Australia have ended within two days in recent years, yet the pitches involved have not faced the same level of criticism that Indian surfaces often receive when matches finish early. Two Tests in last year’s Ashes series, in Perth and Melbourne, also ended inside two days.

Gavaskar also challenged the commonly used argument that batters simply lack the technique to deal with extreme pace and bounce. He argued that when both teams struggle to build meaningful partnerships, the pitch cannot be completely absolved of blame.

"So, another Test match in Australia has finished within two days. This has happened four times there in the last few years. And we are yet to hear any criticism of the trampoline-bounce pitches that produce such results. The excuses will come thick and fast. ‘Oh, the groundsman, sorry, turf executive, got it wrong. He went by the weather forecast, which predicted some hot weather, so he left a little more grass, and that led to the excessive bounce.’ Or the other cricketing excuse that the batters didn’t have the technique to cope with the bounce, and it wasn’t the fault of the pitch. This last excuse could be faintly accepted if the home team batters had batted well, but when even the home batters can’t stitch a run or a decent partnership together, then what does it tell you about the pitch?" Gavaskar wrote.

The 1983 World Cup winner said Australia’s decision to produce a fast and bouncy surface in Mackay was hardly surprising after Bangladesh won the opening Test. He also argued that the match had challenged the long-standing perception that SENA nations do not prepare pitches to suit their strengths.

"The pitch in Mackay was no surprise. After the Aussies were humiliated by the Bangladeshis in the first Test, they were going to prepare a pitch that would be fast and bouncy. And, of course, claim that the groundsman had done it on his own and there were zero instructions from the team management. We all know what really happens. It’s just that the Indian management is open about wanting pitches to suit its bowling strength, while those from the old powers will do the little whispering and nudging and get a surface that they need," said Gavaskar.

The former India opener also questioned the different standards used to assess batting against pace and spin. He pointed out that facing high-quality spin is an equally demanding challenge and requires precise footwork, balance and soft hands.

Gavaskar further questioned why fast bowlers who struggle to take wickets on slower Indian surfaces are not subjected to the same scrutiny as batters who fail against the pace and bounce found in Australia.

"Even today, that brainwashed thinking that a batter has to be judged by how he bats on fast, bouncy pitches prevails, while nobody even asks why lack of footwork, which is such an essential skill requirement to play spin bowling, is not considered a negative and all blame for lack of runs is put on the surface. Playing spin is a real test of batting skill, as it requires deft footwork and soft hands, while playing fast bowling basically has just two movements, either front foot or back foot," wrote Gavaskar.

"Yet lots of players with ordinary records in the subcontinent are called great by those from the old powers. Amazingly, their fast bowlers are never judged by their failure to take wickets on the so-called slow surfaces of the subcontinent. Batters not scoring runs on fast pitches are not rated, but their fast bowlers not getting wickets on slow surfaces still are called great," he added.

Gavaskar’s comments come amid reports that the Mackay pitch could receive a “very good” rating despite the Test lasting just two days. “Very good” is the highest rating in the four-tier pitch grading system.

He said he would be interested to see how the match referee assesses the surface, while suggesting that similar pitches in Australia have escaped adverse ratings despite producing short Tests.

"It will be interesting to see the report and rating for the Mackay pitch by the match referee. There’s generally been a desire among the referees to get brownie points from the media of the old powers, so it won’t be a surprise if there’s no adverse rating for the Mackay pitch just as we have seen for similar two-day finishes in recent years. But lo and behold, if a game finishes in three days in India, there will be all kinds of derogatory reports and insinuations made about the pitches, BCCI and Indian cricket. The hypocrisy is so brazen that it is simply mind-boggling. The usual excuse of ineptitude against fast bowling will be brought out. Nobody says the same when the overseas batters can’t play the spinning ball. Then there’s no lack of ability but hidden devils in the pitch," wrote Gavaskar.

"Like I said earlier, the double standards are simply staggering. Let’s see what rating the match referee gives the Mackay pitch. But Indian fans, don’t hold your breath. The Aussies are breathing comfortably already, knowing there’s absolutely nothing for them to worry about," he added.