Rohit Sharma was spot on – Sunil Gavaskar on Indian captain’s ‘pitch’ opinions
At the moment, one of the major talking points of the cricketing world has been about the pitches, after India went on to win the second Test against South Africa within just 107 overs, making it one of the shortest Tests to be played in terms of overs bowled. Rohit Sharma made it clear in the post-match presentation that he is completely fine playing on those tracks unless the visiting captains in India question the surfaces when the ball starts turning.
Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar, who revolutionized batting in the whites also echoed Rohit’s sentiments on the matter. Writing in his column for the Midday, Gavaskar made it clear that India has risen into a cricketing powerhouse and now that it is knocking around in the ICC boardroom, things are starting to get worrisome for the old cricketing powerhouses.
Gavaskar wrote, “The Indian skipper Rohit Sharma was spot on when he said after the quick finish in the second Test that he doesn’t mind playing on pitches like the one dished out there as it’s a challenge to play on surfaces different from home.”
He further wrote, “He (Rohit) also said that please don’t start questioning the pitch when the ball starts turning on Day One in India. Of course, he is asking for the impossible because as we have seen ever since India became a power in the sport and rightfully began to assert itself in the ICC boardrooms, there has been a concerted effort to denigrate it by those from the Old Powers. They arrive with an agenda and come what may, will dish out stories for getting the brownie points at home.”
After having beaten South Africa comprehensively, Team India’s current focus is on Afghanistan as they arrive in India for a T20I series following which Rohit and company will be playing a five-match Test series against England in home conditions.