IND vs SA: "Just Want To..." - Sunil Gavaskar Reacts To Rohit Sharma’s Comments On Practice Games

Batting great Sunil Gavaskar reacted to Indian captain Rohit Sharma’s comments on not playing practice games ahead of the Test series against South Africa. The former Indian skipper said that the team should play against domestic champions and A teams which will help them.

India suffered a horrendous loss in the first Test against South Africa. They were at the receiving end of an innings and 32 runs thrashing in Centurion and they looked clueless with the bat and ball in the game, which finished in just three days.

After the game skipper Rohit Sharma addressed the press conference and was asked the reason behind India’s loss. He was asked why the regular players of the team didn’t take part in the FC matches to get in the groove for the Test series.

Responding to this, Rohit Sharma mentioned that they didn’t get the kind of pitches they wanted. He revealed that pitches in those practice games are totally different from what they get in real games. And along with that, the quality of bowling is not that great as well, which is why they didn’t play the practice game.

Sunil Gavaskar was on the same page with Rohit Sharma and suggested the Indian team to play games against domestic champions instead. He believes that those players would be eager to impress selectors and hence Indian team can get the best competition. Speaking to Star Sports, he explained:

“Look, this might be the case, I don’t know. I just want to say that if you can play against A teams or the domestic champions of the touring country, their players will be looking to impress their selectors. So they will give it their all, be it a fast bowler or a batter.”

Sunil Gavaskar further added that Indian players should ask the BCCI to arrange games against A teams or domestic champions on the tours. He added:

“When you plan your preparation for overseas tours, you should have discussions with the home board and request them to play against A teams or domestic champions. By doing so, you stand a good chance of getting good practice.”

IND vs SA: Playing intra-squad matches doesn’t make sense – Sunil Gavaskar

Instead of playing the practice game, India played intra-squad games to prepare for the Test series against South Africa. Sunil Gavaskar however, lashed out at the team for this idea and said that these games don’t make sense.

Batting great added that in intra-squad games, pacers don’t give their 100% because of the threat of getting injured. He believes that this long-lasting problem needs to be solved. He had explained:

“Playing intra-squad matches doesn’t make sense. It’s better you spend time at home and come here directly. Why? Your fast bowlers might not want to give their 100 percent in intra-squad matches because there are chances of injuries, say if a fast bowler bowls a bouncer to batters.

“It’s not a recent phenomenon. It has happened in our time also. The problem comes from the difference in conditions. You have to get used to such conditions, you have to play practice matches for that.”

India will now be looking to make a comeback in the second Test against South Africa. The match will take place in Cape Town from 3rd January.