"Australian curators were too kind the last two times" - Justin Langer warns against producing flat tracks for 2024/25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy
Former Australian team head coach Justin Langer has called for the hosts not to produce flat tracks for the Test series against India. Instead, the former opening batter wishes to see traditional bouncy and pacy pitches to nullify India's advantage Down Under.
With India winning the previous two series Down Under, the pressure is on Australia as they hope to regain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The two sides will battle in five Tests, beginning on November 22 at the Optus Stadium in Perth and will go on till January 7.
Writing in his column for The Nightly, Langer reflected that giving India flat pitches have proved to be counterproductive and that Australia should learn the lesson. He elaborated:
"If Australia is organised and smart this summer, it will ensure that visitors see plenty of pace and bounce. History should remind them that doing India a favour by playing them on flat pitches proves counterproductive, an error and a lesson from the last two series. Australian curators were too kind the last two times around.
"The pitches became flat, and India capitalised. It would be unforgivable to make the same mistake again. Adapting to foreign conditions takes time and effort."
The Indian team staged a remarkable comeback from being 0-1 down in the 2020-21 leg. They won by eight wickets at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, followed by a spirited draw at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The final Test saw India overhaul Australia's steep target of 328 with three wickets to spare, thereby clinching the series.
"Not for a second am I encouraging anything other than great Australian pitches that produce pace, bounce" - Justin Langer
The West Australian opined that India's Bengaluru Test against New Zealand and the fixture in Adelaide four years ago are proof of what pitches the home side must request. He added:
"Not for a second am I encouraging anything other than great Australian pitches that produce pace, bounce, and entertaining, winning outcomes in this part of the world. But if Bangalore last week and Adelaide four years ago are anything to go by, pitches that allow the ball to bounce and move will give Australia their best chance of beating India at home for the first time in three campaigns."
Langer was in charge of the Australian team when India beat them in the last two home series.