Sunil Gavaskar has come down hard on the critics of Indian pitches after the Australia-Bangladesh Mackay Test finished inside two days.
The second Test between Australia and Bangladesh in Mackay lasted just a little over five sessions. Eighteen wickets fell on a whirlwind the first day. Mitchell Starc took five wickets in 22 balls in the first innings and Shoriful Islam finished the day with a six-for and took another the next day. Twelve wickets fell on the second day, with Starc taking another four, while Pat Cummins took three.
Bangladesh were bundled out for 65 and 94 in their two innings, while Australia managed 210 in their only outing, as quicks ruled the roost on a lively surface.
Comparing the Mackay wicket with the criticism that spinning pitches in India have previously faced, Gavaskar labelled the disparity as ‘brazen hypocrisy’ writing in his column for The Hindu.
“So, another Test match in Australia has finished within two days,” he wrote. “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?”
Sunil Gavaskar has highlighted double standards around pitches, after the second Australia-Bangladesh Test in Mackay finished in two days 🇦🇺#AUSvBAN #Cricket pic.twitter.com/Kg2pbnI5mN
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) August 25, 2026
If a game finishes in three days in India, there will be all kinds of derogatory reports – Sunil Gavaskar
In terms of balls (750), this was the second-shortest Test in Australia and fourth-shortest ever. But 7Cricket’s chief cricket reporter Tom Morris has reported that match referee is set to rate the pitch at Great Barrier Reef Arena ‘very good’.
“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,” Gavaskar continued.
“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 former India captain also pointed out how batters are measured more on their ability to play on fast, bouncy pitches and less on their footwork on slow, spinning wickets of the subcontinent.
“The usual excuse of ineptitude against fast bowling will be brought out,” he added. “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.
“Batters not scoring runs on fast pitches are not rated, but their fast bowlers not getting wickets on slow surfaces still are called great. 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.”
Follow Wisden for all cricket updates, including live scores, match stats, quizzes and more. Stay up to date with the latest cricket news, player updates, team standings, match highlights, video analysis and live match odds.
