In the world of cricket, the surface on which the game is played often becomes the central character in the post-match narrative. But what happens when the story told about that surface depends entirely on its geographical location? Enter Sunil Gavaskar, who has delivered a masterclass in calling out cricket’s most glaring hypocrisy: the double standards in pitch double standards.
Table of Contents
- The Perth Phenomenon: 32 Wickets and a Whisper
- Eden Gardens Outrage: A Global Firestorm
- Gavaskar’s Scathing Take on the Bias
- Beyond the Surface: What This Double Standard Reveals
- Conclusion: A Call for Consistent Standards
- Sources
The Perth Phenomenon: 32 Wickets and a Whisper
The opening Test of the 2025-26 Ashes series in Perth was a breathtaking, if brutal, spectacle. A staggering 19 wickets fell on the very first day, the most in a single day of a modern Ashes Test . By the time the match concluded in just two days, a total of 32 wickets had tumbled .
The pitch at the Optus Stadium, known for its pace and bounce, lived up to its fearsome reputation, offering an intense contest between bat and ball that heavily favored the quicks. Yet, the global reaction was largely one of admiration for the aggression and pace of the game, with minimal serious criticism of the playing surface itself .
Eden Gardens Outrage: A Global Firestorm
Contrast this with the aftermath of the first Test between India and South Africa at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. That match, which India lost by 30 runs, was played on a dry, turning track that offered significant assistance to the spinners from the outset .
The pitch was immediately labeled a “disgrace” by many pundits and fans alike . Critics argued it was too unpredictable, too spin-friendly, and not conducive to a fair contest. The backlash was swift, severe, and global, with former players and analysts calling into question the very nature of wicket preparation in the subcontinent .
Gavaskar’s Scathing Take on the Bias
It is this stark contrast in reaction that has prompted Sunil Gavaskar to speak out. His central, and now famous, question cuts to the core of the issue: “Why no outrage when 32 wickets fall in Perth?” .
Gavaskar’s point is a simple one: if a pitch in India or another subcontinental nation produces a similar result—a quick, bowler-dominated Test—it is decried as being unfit for purpose. Yet, when a lightning-fast Perth wicket does the exact same thing, it’s celebrated as “classic, hard-nosed Test cricket.”
This is the very definition of a pitch double standard. The same outcome is judged through an entirely different lens based solely on where it happens.
Gavaskar argues that this predictable bias undermines the spirit of the game and creates an uneven playing field before a single ball is even bowled .
Beyond the Surface: What This Double Standard Reveals
This isn’t just about a strip of grass or a dusty square. This double standard reflects deeper, long-standing prejudices within the global cricketing discourse:
- Cultural Bias: There’s a persistent notion that pitches in Australia and England are “proper” Test match surfaces, while subcontinental tracks are seen as gimmicks designed only for home advantage.
- Media Narrative: The narrative from major broadcasters and publications often reinforces this view, praising pace and bounce while criticizing turn and variable bounce, regardless of the actual quality of the contest.
- Impact on the Game: This bias can influence ICC pitch ratings and even a nation’s ability to host major events, creating a cycle of disadvantage for teams that play their cricket on different types of surfaces.
Gavaskar’s intervention is a timely reminder that for Test cricket to be a truly global and respected sport, the standards applied to its most fundamental element—the pitch—must be consistent, fair, and free from geographical prejudice.
Conclusion: A Call for Consistent Standards
Sunil Gavaskar has once again proven why his voice remains one of the most respected in the game. By exposing these pitch double standards, he has forced a long-overdue conversation about fairness and consistency in international cricket. Whether the Perth pitch or the Eden Gardens surface was “better” is a subjective debate. But the fact that one is celebrated while the other is condemned for producing nearly identical match results is a problem that the sport must address. For more on the evolution of pitch preparation, check out our deep dive into [INTERNAL_LINK:history-of-cricket-pitches].