Sunil Gavaskar has strongly criticized the ICC’s “glaring double standards” when it comes to the evaluation of Test pitches, specifically highlighting the bias against subcontinent surfaces. In his latest column for Sportstar, the former Indian cricketer argues that the true measure of a batter’s skill lies in their performance on turning pitches, rather than on fast, bouncy tracks as traditionally emphasized.

Batting on Turning Pitches Demands Higher Skill – Sunil Gavaskar

Gavaskar challenges the global narrative that prioritizes fast-bowling skills over those needed to counter spin. He asserts that playing quality spin on turning pitches requires a far greater level of technical ability, footwork, and game awareness than playing on pacy wickets.

In the context of the ongoing debate over the Perth Ashes Test pitch, Gavaskar defends subcontinental pitches and flips the hierarchy of batting skill. He argues that the true test of a batter’s technique is how they handle surfaces where the ball grips, dips, and turns.

“On a turning pitch, it’s not just about playing forward or back but about going down the pitch to smother the turn and attack the ball. That’s where real skill comes into play,” he explains.

Gavaskar does acknowledge that modern batters sometimes take aggressive steps to counter fast bowling by advancing down the pitch, but he dismisses it as more of a desperate, premeditated measure than a reflexive technical move. “It can come off, but it’s luck, not skill, that makes it work consistently,” he writes.

The True Measure of a Great Batter

For Gavaskar, a batter’s true mettle is shown on turning tracks, where skill, footwork, and mental acuity are constantly tested. “If you can’t score on such surfaces, you are not a great batter,” he concludes unequivocally.

Gavaskar’s column places this debate against the backdrop of the Ashes series and the criticism of Perth’s bouncy pitch. He draws attention to the bias that exists when it comes to evaluating pitches. “There’s this narrative that a pitch with bounce and pace is never a bad one, but a pitch that turns and keeps low is deemed a disgrace. Sadly, this view still holds sway, especially in the subcontinent,” he says.

Double Standards in Judging Batting Ability

Gavaskar goes on to critique the way batters are judged. “Batters are rated only if they score tons on pacy, bouncy pitches. But if a batter from the subcontinent fails to score big on home soil, they are still called ‘great,’” he writes.

In his column, Gavaskar makes it clear: the real benchmark of greatness is whether a player can perform on turning pitches. “If you can’t score on turning tracks, you don’t qualify as a great batter,” he asserts, taking a firm stance on what truly defines batting skill in Test cricket.