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Home > Cricket > India's tour of Pakistan > Report


Green wickets in Pakistan a big joke: Gavaskar

Harish Kotian | January 09, 2006 20:00 IST

Batting legend Sunil Gavaskar [Images] feels the Indian team should not be bothered about talk that Pakistan have prepared green wickets for the matches on the ongoing tour.

"A green wicket in our part of the world is a big joke. Only green wickets in Australia and South Africa can make a big difference, because the surface beneath is hard," he said, announcing his association with Yahoo India, in Mumbai on Monday.

Sunil GavaskarFor the first time in India, podcasts will be available for cricket fans to download and listen to at their convenience through Yahoo India.

The 56-year-old former India captain and opener also declared that the Indian batting line-up is better than that of the hosts.

He also tried to resolve the team management's opening slot dilemma, saying, "If Pakistan have a seam-based attack, why not go in with all the three openers."

Both Gautam Gambhir [Images] and Wasim Jaffer [Images] are in the race to partner regular opener Virender Sehwag [Images] in the opening Test at Lahore [Images], after scoring half-centuries in the drawn three-day encounter against Pakistan 'A'.

"If pace is supposed to be Pakistan's strength, then we can negate that by having three openers. They are quite comfortable against the new ball as they have been brought up playing the new ball," he said.

Gavaskar also had some advice for Sourav Ganguly [Images], saying the left-hander must forget about all the outbursts against him and look ahead.

The deposed India captain was criticised by team manager Raj Singh Dungarpur, who said he is "the laziest member of the team."

"A cricketer over a period gets used to the fact that they will play and miss, but he cannot just keep thinking about it, else he won't do well. A top cricketer forgets the previous delivery and just moves," Gavaskar said.

He also said the series will show how much Pakistan has progressed as a team, while it will be interesting to see whether India can maintain their recent form.


India's tour of Pakistan: The Complete Coverage


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