Adelaide, Dec 8: Batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has urged India not to “waste” time in their hotel rooms after the early finish of the pink ball Test, but utilise the two extra days by sweating it out in training so they can bounce back in the third game.
“Look at the remainder of the series as a three-match series. Forget it was a five-Test series. What I would like this Indian team to do is use the next couple of days for practice,” Gavaskar told the official broadcaster.
“It’s very important. You can’t be sitting in your hotel room or wherever you’re going because you have come here to play cricket.
“You don’t have to practice the whole day. You can practice a session in the morning or afternoon, whichever time you choose, but do not waste these days. You would have been here playing a Test match if the Test match were to go on for five days,” he added.
The third Test begins on December 14 and Gavaskar said the Indians should utilise the intervening time to get their rhythm back.
“You have to get yourself that much more time to get into the rhythm because you have not got the runs. Your bowlers haven’t got the rhythm. There are others too who need time in the middle,” he added.
Indian pacers were found wanting on a fast wicket that offered lateral movement, giving away plenty of runs in the first innings and allowing Australia, especially centurion Travis Head, to take a huge 157-run lead.Gavaskar added that he did not believe in the concept of optional practice sessions, stating that the decision should solely rest with the captain and coach, not the players. (PTI)
