Sunil Gavaskar, renowned Indian cricketing legend, has once again displayed his candid approach by criticizing the cricket media, particularly in South Africa, for their reactions to the recent Test in Cape Town. Gavaskar’s comments also set the stage for India’s upcoming five-Test series against England, commencing on January 25.
In an online article, Sunil Gavaskar pointed out the tendency of media critics and cricketing greats from SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia) countries to go to extremes in defending their teams and deflecting blame. He highlighted how former players like Shaun Pollock criticized the groundsmen and pitch curators at Newlands, attributing their alleged mistake to India’s historic series-tying win.
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“These kinds of excuses that the curator got it wrong are typical of the SENA countries. When our curators make a dry pitch, then it’s ‘chicanery,’ as a former Australian skipper said last year after the Aussies had been walloped in the first two Test matches. So our groundsmen do it deliberately, but their groundsmen just get it wrong,” Sunil Gavaskar expressed.
Sunil Gavaskar extended his spirited response by anticipating a similar backlash from the English media during India’s upcoming series against England, playfully referring to them as the “country that has the biggest whingeing and moaning media in sport.”
“In about three weeks time, another Test series starts with a country that has the biggest whingeing and moaning media in sport. Anything that doesn’t suit their team will be criticized, and allegations will fly thick and fast,” he stated.
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Furthermore, Sunil Gavaskar called on Indian sports media outlets to confront such biased reporting and support the Indian team. “It would be wonderful if our media rises to the challenge and takes them on word for word. That would be a clash to enjoy as thoroughly as the one that will unfold on the ground. Is that too much to hope for? We shall soon find out.”
The upcoming five-match Test series against England, starting on January 25, is anticipated as a significant challenge and will be the first test for England coach Brendon McCullum’s ‘Bazball’ brand of aggressive and high-intensity cricket.
