Gavaskar's advice to Rohit & Co - don't sit at home
Sunil Gavaskar, in a post-mortem of the short two-Test series played by India in South Africa, advised the Indian cricket team to play a few first-class practice games on an away tour. By refusing to do so on numerous tours in the last decade or so, the Indian cricket team has invariably lost the first Test and then has to play catch-up. I am reminded of India's Test tour to Australia in 1977-78, the first series that I followed as a 12-year old. The tour itinerary below gives a glimpse into the number of first-class games that India played before and in between the Tests. India in Australia, 1977/78 South Australia v Indians at Adelaide, 4-6 Nov 1977 Victoria v Indians at Melbourne, 11-14 Nov 1977 New South Wales v Indians at Sydney, 18-21 Nov 1977 Queensland v Indians at Brisbane, 25-27 Nov 1977 1st Test: Australia v India at Brisbane, 2-6 Dec 1977 Western Australia v Indians at Perth, 9-12 Dec 1977 2nd Test: Australia v India at Perth, 16-21 Dec 1977 Tasmania v Indians at Launc...