-Trisha Ghosal
Australia has lost the second test match, and now India is 2-0 up in the Border Gavaskar Trophy. Since India won today, there has been a lot of chatter about the pitch, making me ponder a few things.
Gone are the days when Indian batters would bundle out for nothing outside the sub-continent because we couldn’t handle swing bowling or seaming conditions. Now we are a force to reckon with outside the sub-continent as well. Did all this happen in a day?
The answer is simple, and it’s a No. We made green tops, adjusted our batting style, which suited to playing spin better, practised hard, and reached where we are today.
But why did we put in so much effort? Because of the World Test Championship? Again the answer you are looking for is no. It was because we knew we couldn’t escape by blaming the pitch. Our best batters have been mocked and ridiculed by us – media, fans and cricket lovers – for being so vulnerable against swing bowling. Our batters have realised it’s about being the best out of everyone. Winning tests at home and becoming the world’s best home team dint satisfy us; we wanted to be the best team in the world. And hence we started putting in efforts. Players and BCCI all came together and worked on it.
The result is there for all of us to see.
Why aren’t the Aussies doing the same? They were scared even before they faced a single ball from our spinners. Then, their former players started talking about “fair” wickets. They got so busy in the pitch talk and Ashwin talk that they weren’t prepared for a Jadeja. Who is to be blamed for that? The pitch? The Aussies are reluctant to play forward to full balls; they try to sweep and reverse sweep in turning tracks, and eventually, they give their wicket away. Taking no credit away from our bowlers, some of the batting has been school boyish at best.
But here’s the role of their media, fans and cricket lovers – they are defending their batters and insulting our pitches! We tried to get better while they were busy playing the victim card. Have you ever heard us discussing, “oh, this Perth wicket has so much bounce” no, we instead say, “If you are batting in Perth, you have to expect bounce, and you should know how to handle it.”
The mindset is where we are miles ahead of most of the teams. Skills are essential, but the mindset is way more important. So if you are an Australian cricket fan, it’s time to stop cribbing about pitches and urge your players to stand up, clear their heads, and go back to their drawing board. Their headache is how to play spin, not how to make “fair” or “unfair” wickets. Trust me, when we tour Australia next year, we will come prepared for your green tops.
It’s ultimately the mindset, not the pitch! 70 per cent of any sport is played in the mind, and 30 per cent is the execution of what was played in one’s mind. Australians aren’t losing the 30 per cent; they have lost the 70 per cent; hence the 30 per cent doesn’t even matter.