"Don't talk about Australia now"- Sunil Gavaskar miffed at Dinesh Karthik for bringing up BGT during 2nd IND vs NZ Test 2024
Former Indian batter Sunil Gavaskar wasn't pleased with Dinesh Karthik bringing up the upcoming Australian tour during Day 2 of the second Test against New Zealand in Pune. India and Australia are slated to play in a blockbuster five-Test series starting in Perth on November 22.
While the build-up to the series down under has been going on in full force among fans and experts, Team India find themselves in deep trouble against New Zealand. After suffering a shocking defeat in the opening Test at Bengaluru, Rohit Sharma's Men are staring down the barrel once again in the ongoing Pune Test.
The side dismissed the Kiwis for 259 in their first innings only to surrender the advantage by being bowled out for a dismal 156 in reply. The visitors continued to march ahead on the final session of the second day. Karthik then brought up the Australian series during on-air commentary, much to the dismay of Gavaskar.
"Don't talk about Australia now. That is a mistake that a lot of people often make. You've got to worry about what's happening now. Your focus should be only on what's happening at the moment. Australia will take care of itself. When you go there, you will find the methods to beat Australia. You've done that over the last couple of trips there. You found a way," said Gavaskar.
India have won the last four Test series against Australia, including two down under in 2018/19 and 2020/21.
"Ask us too who should be in the Australian team" - Sunil Gavaskar
Sunil Gavaskar also slammed former Australian players for their suggestions on who India should include and omit in their lineup when the reverse doesn't transpire.
The two teams last met in the red-ball format in the 2023 World Test Championship (WTC) which Australia won by 209 runs.
"It's not the players. The players are focussed on the game. It's the circle around which is the media and everybody else which is talking about Australia. There is so much of coverage about what is going to happen in Australia," said Gavaskar.
He added:
"The Australian players are all the time talking about the Indian team, what should be the team and all that. Pick him, pick that player. No body is asking us about the Australian team. All the former Australian players are telling us pick this guy, that guy. Ask us too who should be in the Australian team."
While the 2024/25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy is the next big thing on the international calendar, Team India is in danger of losing their proud home record in Tests.
The Black Caps already lead the three-match series 1-0 and are ahead by 301 runs in the second innings of the second Test at the end of Day 2. India have won the last 18 home Test series with the last defeat coming in 2012/13 to England.