“Taking 20 wickets is not going to be easy in India” – Sunil Gavaskar reveals the exact reason why India are preparing rank turners

Especially in the wake of Australia’s amazing nine-wicket triumph over India in the third Test played in Indore, all eyes are on India’s turning surfaces. The spinning wickets were a topic of conversation among cricket fans even before the third Test, but following a crushing defeat to the visiting side in that match, the Indian squad has taken a lot of heat.

Indian batters had a hard time scoring runs against Australian spinners on the changing surface in Indore. The hosts had trouble with the Australian spin trio of Nathan Lyon, Matthew Kuhnemann, and Todd Murphy in both innings. They failed to reach the 200-run mark in either of the two innings.

India’s famous batsman Sunil Gavaskar had some words for the Rohit Sharma-led squad after seeing their dismal performance in the previous game. The fourth Test will be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

What did Sunil Gavaskar say?

In an interview with India Today, Gavaskar claimed that without top bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami, the team’s bowling-up seems weak and unable to seek 20 scalps. Therefore the squad is putting a lot of faith in turning wickets so that the Indian spinners can exert the kind of influence they need.

Gavaskar said, “Taking 20 wickets is not going to be easy in India. On a lot of Indian pitches, without your ace bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami and a slightly inexperienced Mohammed Siraj, I don’t think that bowling attack is such (strong). But with a little bit of help from a dry pitch, India can probably take 20 wickets. I think that is the thinking behind preparing such pitches.”

India’s top bowler, Bumrah, was sidelined by a back ailment and couldn’t compete. Contrarily, Shami was rested for the third Test match to reduce his workload. But, Shami might make a comeback for the last Test against Australia.