Sunil Gavaskar, a legendary batsman for India, believes that the ex-cricketers should challenge the Australian selectors rather than criticizing the players.
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy has been shrouded in controversy and talks about the pitch have been at the forefront of discussions. Even before the commencement of the series, a host of Australian media outlets and a few former cricketers accused India of “doctoring” the Nagpur track. While the discussions about India producing rank turners were relatively low during the Delhi Test, it once again took center stage as the action shifted to Indore.
The accusations of pitch-doctoring have been a point of contention in the cricketing world for years. While some argue that it gives the home team an unfair advantage, others believe that it’s an integral part of the game. In this particular instance, the ex-cricketers’ criticism of the pitch seems misplaced, especially given the outstanding performance by the Indian team. It’s crucial to note that India’s spinners have been exceptional, and their batters have adjusted to the conditions better than their Australian counterparts. As the series progresses, it will be interesting to see how the pitch debate plays out and whether the players can stay focused amid the noise.
In addition to the discussions about the pitch, ex-cricketers have been vocal in their criticisms of the Australian team’s performance. Among the many incidents, one that gained particular attention was Allan Border’s scathing criticism of Steve Smith. The Australian legend lashed out at Smith for passing a thumbs-up gesture to the bowler after a ball beat his outside edge. This incident caused a considerable stir in the cricketing world, with many fans and pundits questioning whether Border’s reaction was warranted.
Former Australia opener Matthew Hayden has also been critical of the team’s lackluster show in the series opener. The Australian team’s performance in the series so far has been far from ideal, with a few standout performances overshadowed by several lackluster ones. The team’s batting has been a significant cause for concern, with the Australian batsmen struggling to adjust to the conditions and adapt to the Indian spinners. As the series progresses, the ex-cricketers’ criticisms are sure to intensify, adding further pressure on the Australian team to turn their fortunes around.
Sunil Gavaskar’s opinion is that instead of criticizing the players, the former cricketers should question the Australia selectors. Gavaskar points out the case of Josh Hazlewood, who was ruled out of the first Test due to an Achilles injury, and the fact that he is yet to make an appearance in the series. He also cited the case of Mitchell Starc, who was part of the playing XI in the third encounter in Indore.
Identifying the Best Players – Sunil Gavaskar
Gavaskar believes that it is the selectors’ job to identify the best players for the team and ensure that they are given the opportunity to perform. He suggests that the selectors should be held accountable for their decisions and that former cricketers should question them if they feel that the team selection is not up to par.
It is important to note that team selection is a complex process that involves a lot of factors, including the player’s form, fitness, and the conditions of the playing field. While the selectors may make mistakes, it is not always fair to place all the blame on them. Ultimately, it is the players who have to perform on the field, and they should take responsibility for their performances.
Amidst the barrage of criticism from ex-Australian players on various media platforms, Gavaskar has a different target in mind – the Australian selectors. Gavaskar questions the wisdom of selecting three players, Hazlewood, Starc, and Cameron Green, who were not available for the first two Test matches. This decision essentially left the team management with a meager selection pool of just 13 players for half of the series.
“Then, when the club already had a player who fit the bill, they fly in a newcomer (Matthew Kuhnemann). Why did they choose him in the first place if they didn’t believe he was a good enough player for the team? In other words, the management of the squad chose 11 players out of a possible 12. Ridiculous. Even if Australia makes an incredible comeback and wins the next two Test matches to tie the series, the selectors should step down if they have any sense of accountability “In his column for Sportstar, Gavaskar wrote.
Returning to the series, each of the three Test matches that have been played thus far has been completed in three days. India easily won the first two tests, but Australia, led by interim captain Steve Smith, produced an incredible comeback and won the third test by nine wickets. Australia’s victory also secured them a spot in the World Test Championship final, which will take place at The Oval in June. India, on the other hand, will be hoping for a successful outcome in the final match in Ahmedabad because if they do, they will join Australia in the championship game. Read more cricket news at the official Indibet site.
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