‘Do you want this for Test cricket?’: Gavaskar asks, Hayden denies | Cricket

Which brings focus to – you guessed it – the field. After being criticized for producing rank turners – particularly at Indore’s Holkar Stadium, which received a “poor” rating and three demerit points from the ICC – the Narendra Modi Stadium produced an absolute belt for bowlers with nothing. First, Australia pile up 480, to which India replied with 571. At that moment, the result had become a foregone conclusion.

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Given the on-field debate, especially given how the first Test between New Zealand and Sri Lanka ended in a last-ball thriller with Kane Williamson diving to give his side the win, Gavaskar feels that even the three-day results are not ideal. For Test cricket, pitches where flakes hardly fall are not too favorable either.

“If you honestly look at what has happened, on day 4 of the last session, and even the first innings for both teams were not completed. So all those who talked about the pitches in the previous three Tests, what the pitch is – Yes, no game should end either 3 in a day; I understand that. But is this what you want for Test cricket? Where on Day 4 both teams’ first innings was not complete,” Gavaskar said while commenting on the fourth India vs Australia Test.

“These last-minute score posts don’t work in cricket. Sometimes you have these sudden collapses when the game opens up, but on a pitch like this I doubt Australia would lose by more than 3-4 points.”

However, his partner Hayden doesn’t fully agree with Gavaskar’s assessment – his stance was based on the fact that the Ahmedabad Test attracted decent crowds on three of the five days. Hayden, who was very vocal about the pitches in the first three Tests and how it robs Test cricket of its glory, highlighted the unique appeal of the Ahmedabad match which finally managed to bring the crowd to the stadium.

“I do understand what Sunny G was trying to say. I also appreciate and respect that this wicket has gone the other way. My general view of all nets – no matter where it is played – is that it should produce an even contest. The result has to be, because it’s needed in Test cricket. But also look at the crowd size,” Hayden said.

“About 60,000 people arrived on Day 1. A huge day for our countries, with both our Prime Ministers there, a big diplomatic conclave, the sporting community paying attention to Test cricket. It was a little quiet on Friday, but people started coming again on Saturday. And the log of 25,000 people was kept up for the whole of Sunday. A Test match in cricket is special and iconic series are special when people participate in them. I love Test matches that go on to the fifth day; just to see that real fight. Otherwise, play a 3-day game, a 4-day game, don’t call it Test cricket, call it something else.”