Optimistic India Won't be Whitewashed in Tests by Australia, Says Sunil Gavaskar

A practice pitch. Just a practice pitch. That is what supposedly disturbed the equilibrium of the Indian team at the start of Day 4 of the Brisbane Test.

Shikhar Dhawan was injured while warming up and subsequently couldn't go out to bat. But the Indian team didn't know that till about 7 minutes before play started.

As it turned out, Virat Kohli was sent in, possibly under-prepared mentally. India would go onto lose four wickets for just 11 runs and with that any hopes of giving themselves a fighting chance in the Test.

"Let us not make that an excuse" said Sunil Gavaskar to NDTV.

With India 2-0 down in the 4 Test series will it be possible for MS Dhoni to avoid another 4-0 Test series whitewash?.

Gavaskar said he was 'optimistic' India will not be whitewashed this time. "Hope the Aussie Christmas spirit carries into the 3rd Test to help India," he said.

Gavaskar was especially appreciative of Mitchell Johnson who rattled the Indian batsman with a special spell in the 1st session of day's play.

Talking about Rohit Sharma sledging Mitchell Johnson, the former India captain said "Indians should not get into verbal spats with Aussies' as it doesn't come naturally to us. For an Aussie it is water over the duck's back. It is better to talk with the bat."

India will play the third Test on the 26th of December in Melbourne.