The former Indian captain, Sunil Gavaskar, has made a sharp attack on the blatant double standards in the global pitch debate from the opening Test at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata between India and South Africa, compared to what happened in the opening Ashes 2025/26 Test at the Optus Stadium in Perth. His comments came after 32 wickets tumbled in the two-day finish of the game.

Sunil Gavaskar’s frustration stems from the contrast in reactions. Only a week earlier, the Eden Gardens surface was criticized after India lost the contest by 30 runs while chasing 124 in the fourth innings on the third day of the contest. Michael Vaughan, Cheteshwar Pujara, Anil Kumble, and many slammed the surface but remained tight-lipped for Perth.

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“The Perth Test match has ended in less than two days, with 32 wickets having fallen, including 19 on the first day, but as yet there’s not a word of criticism about the pitch there. Last year too, 17 wickets fell on Day One at Perth between India and Australia, and I can’t recall a critical word about the pitch, which had more grass on it than usual.” Gavaskar wrote in his column.

Sunil Gavaskar calls out double standard on Perth and Kolkata surfaces

Gavaskar welcomed the fact that some recently retired Indian cricketers finally started to raise questions about 19 wickets falling on the single, which was the opening day, of the first Ashes 2025/26 Test in Perth before it ended on the following day.

The same was the case in Sydney, where 15 wickets fell on Day One. The argument, as enumerated by the curator in Perth last year, was: ‘This is Perth, Australia, and you will get bounce.’ Fine — but then, when the pitch affords turn, why can’t it be accepted that this is India and there will be turn?” Gavaskar penned down.

“If you complain about the bounce, then the counter-argument is that you can’t play fast bowling. Why is there never a counter-argument that you can’t play spin bowling when the pitch affords turn in India?” The former Indian captain concluded.