SCG track: Gambhir praises ‘spicy’ and ‘result-oriented’ wicket, Gavaskar calls it ‘not ideal’

The SCG track was “not ideal” for a Test match, according to batting great Sunil Gavaskar but India head coach Gautam Gambhir praised the wicket as “spicy” and “result-oriented”, which had something for everyone.

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As many as 26 wickets fell on the first two days, while four Indians and as many Australians were dismissed on day three as bowlers largely dominated the proceedings.

“It’s been some really nice wickets. It’s good for Test cricket as well. There was enough for the bowlers, and there was enough for the batters as well. But that is what’s going to keep Test cricket alive,” Gambhir said during the press conference after India lost the fifth Test.

“And this was not the typical Sydney wicket, what we normally are used to or we’ve seen in the past as well. But then this is how Test cricket needs to be played. Result-oriented wickets. I know we talk a lot about turning wickets when we go back home, but this was as spicy as probably what we get back home.”

However, Gavaskar had criticised the SCG track during the final session on Saturday.

“When I saw the pitch, I did say the cows could have gone and grazed on it,” Gavaskar said on ABC Sport.

“This is not the ideal Test match pitch because you want it to go into the fourth or the fifth day. Unless there is rain, I don’t see us being here on day four.” Gavaskar said it would have attracted criticism from Australian and England cricketers if a similar wicket had been provided in India.

“All hell would have broken loose. There would have been all kinds of innuendos, comments about ‘Is this a good pitch?’” he said.

“Even former players who played on this pitch before were so surprised. We had Glenn McGrath saying he’d never seen that much grass on the pitch. The point is, when you go overseas, you have to be prepared to play on the surface.”

We are not moaners; we are not whingers

The 75-year-old former batter also criticised former players for complaining about tough Indian pitches.

“Over the years, have you ever heard a former Indian cricketer complain about conditions? They accept that’s what playing overseas is all about,” Gavaskar said.

“We are not moaners; we are not whingers. When we go (abroad) and play cricket, we will tough it out, and if we are beaten, we are beaten. We understand that overseas, it’s very difficult to beat home teams. You’ll never find us complaining.

“But 15 wickets in a day in India, man, there would be hell.”