Legendary Sunil Gavaskar has urged the Indian players to practice hard after suffering a 10-wicket loss against Australia at the Adelaide Oval on Sunday. India could not bring their best with either bat or ball and the Australians were able to level the series 1-1.
The visitors managed scores of 180 and 175 runs in both innings as the batters could not deliver the goods. In fact, the pitch was good for batting in the second innings but the tourists could not even breach the 200-run mark as no Indian batter could face 50 balls.
Gavaskar noted that the Indian bowlers also failed to find the rhythm on their side. Jasprit Bumrah was the solitary bowler who looked threatening but he could not find much support from the other end.
Sunil Gavaskar said while talking to the broadcasters, “Look at the remainder of the series as a three-match series. Forget it was a five-Test series. What I would like this Indian team to do is use the next couple of days for practice. It’s very important. You can’t be sitting in your hotel room or wherever you’re going because you have come here to play cricket. You don’t have to practice the whole day. You can practice a session in the morning or afternoon, whichever time you choose, but do not waste these days.”
“You would have been here playing a Test match if the Test match were to go on for five days. You have to get yourself that much more time to get into the rhythm because you have not got the runs. Your bowlers haven’t got the rhythm. There are others too who need time in the middle.”
Gavaskar added that Indian players should hit the nets irrespective of their workload as they could not perform at their best against Australia.
“This optional practice session is something that I don’t believe. The decision for optional training should rest with the captain and the coach. The coach should say, ‘Hey, you hit 150, you don’t need to come to practice. Hey, you bowled 40 overs in the match, you don’t need to come to practice.’ They should not be given the option. If you give the players that option, a lot of them, especially the certainties, will say, ‘No, I am going to stay in my room.’ And that’s not what Indian cricket needs,” said Gavaskar.
“Indian cricket needs people who are totally dedicated to their cause. It’s an honor and privilege to be playing for India. My request to them is to please come and practice. Again, Bumrah doesn’t have to practice. If Rohit and Virat don’t have to practice, that’s fine, because they are experienced players. Let the others come out and practice.”
The third Test match between India and Australia will be played at the Gabba, Brisbane from December 14.
