Sunil Gavaskar just dropped some serious truth bombs about cricket’s rating system. The legendary batter called out the ICC for showing clear favoritism toward certain pitches. He’s fed up with how turning tracks get labelled problematic constantly.
The Double Standards Gavaskar Spotted
Sunil Gavaskar pointed out something cricket fans have noticed for years quietly. The International Cricket Council loves bouncy pitches where fast bowlers dominate completely over batters. But when it helps spinners turn the ball sharply, everyone complains immediately.
The Perth Ashes Test finished in just two days with Australia winning. Nobody from the ICC rated that pitch poorly despite the quick finish. Gavaskar finds this incredibly frustrating given how spinning pitches always get criticized.
“So, for me, playing on a turning pitch requires more talent and footwork than playing pace. That is why, if you don’t score runs on such surfaces, you are not a great batter.
“Their narrative that a pitch with bounce and danger to life and limb is never bad, but that a pitch where the ball turns and keeps low is a disgrace, is sadly still believed even by the complexed ones in the subcontinent,” Gavaskar said.
He believes batting on turning pitches actually requires way more skill. Batters must judge the spin early and move their feet perfectly. One mistake against quality spin bowling means you’re walking back disappointed.
Real Batting Skill Happens on Turners
Sunil Gavaskar argues that true batting greatness shows on spinning yards clearly. Facing spinners demands technique, footwork, and mental strength all working together perfectly. Modern batters who charge fast bowlers are just taking unnecessary risks.
“To counter spin, it is not just about playing forward or back, but also about going down the pitch to smother the turn and attack the ball. That’s where skill comes in,” he added.
Stepping out to pacers looks aggressive but doesn’t require the same technical mastery. Playing spin needs reading the ball from the bowler’s hand instantly. Your feet must be positioned exactly right to handle a turn.
The ICC and cricket world celebrate batters smashing runs on a bouncy pitch. But those same players struggle badly when assist spin in Asia. Their failures on turning tracks get conveniently ignored or excused away quickly.
“They will rate a batter only if he scores tons on pacy, bouncy pitches, but if a batter from their part of the world doesn’t get a century in the subcontinent, he will still be called great,” he concluded.
Changing Cricket’s Mindset
Sunil Gavaskar wants this bias against spinning pitches to stop immediately. Batters from outside Asia get praised for scoring on fast wickets. Meanwhile, Asian batters doing the same on turners get less recognition unfairly.
The ICC needs a balanced evaluation of batting skills across all pitch conditions. Only then can we truly judge who the greatest batters are.
