Legendary India cricketer-turned-commentator Sunil Gavaskar believes the Indian Premier League (IPL) has been a catalyst to reduce sledging in the India vs Australia contests.

The India vs Australia contest always produces high-octane drama. Be it with the bat, ball or through fielding, players of the two top sides have always given it their all. However, the batting great, believes that since the evolution of IPL, players from both the nations have understood the varied culture better, which has helped to reduce sledging in these contests.

“When two of the top-ranked teams play against each other, then sparks are bound to fly. However, since the IPL began, the animosity between players of the two teams has lessened considerably while the intensity hasn’t been reduced one bit and that’s how it should be. Sharing the same change room, and hotels and traveling to different venues over a period of six weeks to play has made the players get to know each other better, understand the different cultures and attitudes and approaches to the game,” Gavaskar wrote in his column for Mid-Day.

“While there will always be a bit of banter between players, the angry and sometimes vulgar exchanges are a thing of the past. Today, if there are any such issues, it’s invariably between players who don’t play the IPL and thus have a bit of resentment towards the Indian players who play against them. Some of them believe that their achievements are such that they should be getting more than the Indian player, who gets millions through the IPL.”

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Sunil Gavaskar slams Pakistan cricketers for untoward comments

Gavaskar further slammed the media for ‘pulling players down’. His comments were particularly directed towards the online media. The batting great also minced no words as he said that the ex-Pakistan cricketers often bully the Indian players.

“What the following for the game also does is to make the media, especially the online media, look to get more eyeballs or followers and so anything to do with cricket and especially about Indian players gets into the public domain even if it actually belittles them. That’s the sad part especially when the views of those across the border get online in the Indian media.

“It’s almost a daily thing to hear some former player from across the border pulling down an Indian player and saying the Pakistani player is better. What these guys know is that they will immediately get a response from the Indian fans who will defend their favourite player and in doing so, increasing the followers of the former player from across the border,” Gavaskar added.

India currently lead the four-Test series 2-0.