Sat Jan 04 13:44:52 UTC 2025: ## Gavaskar Slams Sydney Pitch After Wicket Bonanza
**Sydney, Australia:** Legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has criticized the heavily grassy pitch at the Sydney Cricket Ground, questioning whether it would be deemed acceptable in India. The pitch, which saw a staggering 26 wickets fall in the first two days of the fifth Test against Australia, prompted Gavaskar’s rebuke. He highlighted the double standards in criticism of pitches, noting that similar conditions in India would spark outrage, unlike the relative silence surrounding the green Sydney surface.
“If 15 wickets fell in a day in India, all hell would have broken loose,” Gavaskar stated, pointing to the frequent criticism levelled against Indian pitches by former players from Australia and England. He believes the pitch is unsuitable for a Test match, hindering the potential for a longer contest. “This is not the ideal Test match pitch…Unless there is rain I don’t see us being here on day four,” he added.
Despite India’s four-run first innings lead and reaching 141/6 at stumps on day two, Gavaskar’s concerns highlight the impact of the pitch on the match. Australia’s Scott Boland has been a key performer, taking eight wickets in the match, including two dismissals of Virat Kohli. Australian wicketkeeper-batter Alex Carey praised Boland’s performance, highlighting his effectiveness on such a pitch. The match continues, but the controversy surrounding the playing surface remains a central talking point.
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