Last Updated on 3 weeks by Charbel Coorey

Australia fans have questioned the timing of the spiciest Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) pitch for a Test in recent memory as 26 wickets fell in the first two days against India. Pat Cummins’ team came into the match leading the series 2-1 after victory in the final hour at the MCG, with a draw enough to seal their first Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) series win since 2014/15.

Instead, a greentop, so rarely seen in Test cricket as the SCG, has made the match somewhat of a shootout between the seam attacks. Scott Boland has been a nightmare to handle, taking combined figures of 8/73 in 33 overs across the first two days. India’s seamers were also effective, delivering even without their talisman Jasprit Bumrah, who went for scans soon after lunch due to back spasms.

Batting has been very difficult, with plenty of seam movement even with the older ball under the Sydney sunshine. Australia were playing from in front after bowling India out for 185, but the visitors fought right back as Beau Webster shone brightest in a tough first innings for the hosts.

In their third innings, India started quickly, before Boland ripped through the top order to put Australia in the driving seat. India then decided attack would be the best form of defence, with Rishabh Pant going on a rampage, smashing 61 off 33 balls to threaten to take the game away from the hosts. But, quick wickets meant Australia still had their noses in front.

Spicy SCG pitch: Australia fans surprised with surface given series scoreline

However, some Australian fans were still unimpressed by the surface given the series scoreline. Like a rank turner in the subcontinent, such conditions can bring teams closer. Batsmen from both sides have copped blows on the body, and who knows how the surface will play in the fourth innings as Australia faces a tricky chase.

On the contrary, there is the World Test Championship (WTC) argument. Australia needs a single win from their final three Tests (including two against Sri Lanka) to meet South Africa in the final at Lord’s later this year.

Sunil Gavaskar also had qualms about the SCG pitch. “If 15 wickets fell [on one day] in India, all hell would have broken loose. We had Glenn McGrath saying he’d never seen so much grass. Did you hear any former India cricketer moan about the pitch?” said the India legend after 15 wickets fell on day two.

“I did say that when we saw the pitch yesterday, the cows could have gone and grazed on it. This is not the ideal Test match pitch that you want because you want it to go into a fourth and fifth day. Unless there is rain I don’t see us being here on day four,” Gavaskar continued, as quoted as saying by ABC Sport.

India finished day two 141/6, leading by 145 after bowling Australia out for 181. The big question is whether Jasprit Bumrah will be available to bowl. If he can bowl effectively, anything around 200 arguably makes India favourites on this SCG pitch.