On Day 4 of the Brisbane Test between India and Australia, Mohammed Siraj found himself at the center of criticism from Sunil Gavaskar for his questionable decision-making during a crucial moment in the 62nd over.

What happened?

During Pat Cummins’ over, Ravindra Jadeja was focused on shielding Siraj from facing too many deliveries, as Siraj was a lower-order batsman. Jadeja carefully faced the first four balls, intending to take most of the strike to build a good score for India. However, the last two balls had to be faced by Siraj.

On the 5th ball, Siraj tapped a delivery between extra cover and cover and looked for a single, despite there being close fielders around. Jadeja, realizing there was no run, sent him back. However, when the fielder’s throw missed the stumps, Siraj ran for an overthrow, surprising Jadeja. Siraj quickly attempted for 1 run after the overthrow, moving to the non-striker’s end, leaving Jadeja puzzled.

Sunil Gavaskar questions Siraj's cricketing sense

Sunil Gavaskar, who was on commentary at the time, strongly criticized Siraj’s behavior. Gavaskar remarked, “He has no cricketing sense. He should have played the two balls for his team.” He further pointed out the lack of awareness in Siraj’s decision, emphasizing that Jadeja, as the set batsman, should have been allowed to face more deliveries in the next over.

The outcome of Siraj’s actions proved costly. In the very next over, bowled by Mitchell Starc, Siraj faced several bouncers and was dismissed on the last ball, caught behind after edging a delivery.

Sunil Gavaskar, one of India’s cricket legends, recently shared an amusing and rare anecdote about his long-standing rivalry with Australian cricket great Allan Border. As the namesake of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the series has become one of the most iconic and intense rivalries in world cricket. Speaking to 7Cricket, Gavaskar recounted a memorable moment involving Border, blending humor and nostalgia as he reflected on the competitive spirit that has characterized India-Australia clashes over the years.

An unexpected rivalry: Gavaskar vs. Border on the bowling front

Sunil Gavaskar and Allan Border are widely celebrated for their batting prowess and are recognized as two of the finest batsmen of their generation. However, as Gavaskar humorously revealed in a recent interview with 7Cricket, his rivalry with Border also included a memorable moment when Border dismissed him—a rare feat for the Australian, who was far better known for his batting than his bowling.

With a grin, Gavaskar recalled the unexpected incident: "The problem is, Allan Border got me out. Can you imagine that? He actually got me out, and I never got a chance to bowl to him!” Gavaskar admitted that if he had bowled to Border and taken his wicket, perhaps things would feel different today. But the fact that Border managed to get a ball to turn, catching Gavaskar off guard and edging out his wicket, remains a humorous yet slightly stinging memory for the Indian legend.

In his 20 Test matches against India, Border took only four wickets, one of which was Gavaskar’s prized scalp. Reminiscing about the incident, Gavaskar shared how Border playfully teases him about the dismissal whenever they meet. “Every time I bump into him, he says, ‘Hello Bunny, how are you?’” Gavaskar laughed, hinting at the friendly rivalry and camaraderie that exists between the two legends.

Maybe the origins of naming the Border-Gavaskar Trophy started 45 years ago.

Because of Allan Border's three career Test wickets v India, one of those was ... Sunil Gavaskar.

From 1979 to now, Sunny still can't get over it - due to AB reminding him all the time 😂 #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/BYcjtYL6oL

— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) November 14, 2024

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy: Symbolizing a legacy of fierce competition

The India-Australia Test series was officially named the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in 1996, honoring the legacy and sportsmanship of Sunil Gavaskar and Allan Border. The series has since become a fixture in world cricket, renowned for thrilling matches, legendary battles, and moments that have shaped the careers of numerous players. From Sachin Tendulkar’s face-off with Shane Warne to Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman’s iconic partnership at the 2001 Kolkata Test, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy has delivered unforgettable memories.

In recent years, India has emerged victorious in their past two series in Australia and now aims to secure a third consecutive series win Down Under. Gavaskar’s reflections on his rivalry with Border come at a time when the Border-Gavaskar Trophy has gained even greater significance, symbolizing not only individual competition but also the larger narrative of India and Australia’s cricketing battles.

See Also: Shami makes stunning comeback, takes four wickets for Bengal in Ranji Trophy

The two cricketers share more than just a trophy named in their honor. Both Gavaskar and Border were the first two players in the world to reach the landmark of 10,000 Test runs. Gavaskar achieved this in 1987, followed by Border in 1993, cementing their places in cricket history. With their legacies intertwined through the trophy, Gavaskar’s story reveals how the competitive spirit between India and Australia has transcended generations, while still retaining the humorous and personal touch that only legends of the game can appreciate.

As fans eagerly anticipate the upcoming India-Australia series, Gavaskar’s tale serves as a reminder of the rich history and camaraderie that underpins one of the most celebrated rivalries in world cricket. The series, starting November 22, promises to add yet another chapter to this storied rivalry, with new heroes waiting to make their mark.

Riyan Parag bowed out of IPL 2024 as the third-highest run-scorer of the tournament, with 573 runs from 16 matches. However, his performance in the crucial Qualifier 2 match against SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) left many, including former India captain Sunil Gavaskar, fuming. Parag scored just six runs off 10 balls before being dismissed by SRH’s impact substitute Shahbaz Ahmed.

Chasing 176, Rajasthan Royals (RR) struggled to find boundaries, going 22 balls without a four or six before Parag decided to take on Shahbaz. His attempted aggressive shot resulted in a top-edge, caught by Abhishek at deep mid-wicket.

“Seriously, seriously? What’s the use of all the talent if you are not going to think?…”

Gavaskar, on commentary duties, was critical of Parag’s approach, questioning the utility of his talent if he wasn’t going to “think” through his decisions. Parag’s dismissal was pivotal as it sparked a collapse for RR, who lost three wickets in the space of 15 balls. This collapse ultimately led to their downfall, as the 2008 champions couldn’t recover and SRH secured a 36-run victory to advance to the final.

“Seriously, seriously? What’s the use of all the talent if you are not going to think? What kind of shot is that, seriously? So much talent. If you don’t have the temperament, it won’t work. So what if you had a few dot balls? You can still make up for it,” Gavaskar was heard as saying on commentary.

Shahbaz Ahmed, who came in as an impact substitute, was the star for SRH. He contributed 18 runs and took three crucial wickets, returning figures of 3-23. His performance earned him the player of the match accolade, with SRH skipper Pat Cummins revealing it was coach Daniel Vettori’s decision to bring in Ahmed.

Earlier in the game, SRH, known for their record IPL totals of 277 and 287 this season, struggled with their batting until Heinrich Klaasen boosted the score with his fourth fifty of the season. Rajasthan’s Trent Boult made early inroads by dismissing Abhishek in the first over and taking two more wickets in the fifth, sending back Rahul Tripathi (37) and Aiden Markram (1).

Fast bowler Avesh Khan also played a key role, taking two wickets in two balls, prompting SRH to bring in Shahbaz Ahmed. Despite the early setbacks, SRH managed to post a defendable total and, with Shahbaz’s crucial contributions, secured their place in the final. Fans on Twitter shared mixed reactions, with some criticizing Gavaskar’s harsh words for Parag, while others echoed the former captain’s sentiments about the young player’s approach.

Fans criticize Gavaskar for harsh comments on Parag

Following Sunil Gavaskar’s scathing remarks on Riyan Parag’s dismissal, fans took to Twitter to express their discontent. Many felt Gavaskar was overly harsh, arguing that he overlooked Parag’s consistent performances throughout the tournament.

Many felt that Gavaskar’s comments on Parag’s temperament were unwarranted and ignored the context of the match and Parag’s crucial contributions to his team throughout the season.

On Tuesday morning, cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar graced the Wankhede Stadium to witness the exhilarating final match of the Ranji Trophy 2023-24 season, featuring Mumbai and Vidarbha. Accompanying Tendulkar were former captain Dilip Vengsarkar and Chandrakant Pandit, head coach of the Kolkata Knight Riders, all immersed in the thrilling atmosphere of the iconic stadium as they savored the pinnacle of domestic cricket.

Sachin Tendulkar’s refreshing pause: Tea Break at Ranji Trophy dhowdown

Notably, Tendulkar’s presence at the Wankhede Stadium coincided with former captain Sunil Gavaskar’s attendance the previous day. Gavaskar, enthusiastically supporting Mumbai, applauded Ajinkya Rahane and Musheer Khan for their resilient, unbeaten fifties on Day 2, which played a pivotal role in steering the home team away from adversity.

Amidst Mumbai’s quest to extend their lead in the second innings, Sachin Tendulkar was spotted relishing a cup of tea, while Musheer Khan and Shreyas Iyer worked diligently to bolster Mumbai’s advantage. This came after the 41-time champions faced a setback with the dismissal of captain Ajinkya Rahane for 73 runs in the 60th over.

Key performances and resilient recoveries: Mumbai’s dominance unfolds in Ranji Trophy final

Just the previous day, Sachin Tendulkar took to social media to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Wankhede Stadium, coinciding with its hosting of the significant final match. Mumbai, positioned to break their seven-year drought for a Ranji Trophy title, surged ahead with a commanding 119-run lead in the first innings. Despite a modest first-innings score of 224, Mumbai’s bowlers, led by seasoned campaigner Dhawal Kulkarni and spinner Shams Mulani, dismantled Vidarbha’s batting lineup, restricting them to a mere 105 runs.

SEE ALSO:Virat Kohli set to be removed from the T20 World Cup squad? – Report

In a display of resilience, Shardul Thakur emerged as a pivotal figure with the bat during Mumbai’s first innings. Amidst a precarious situation at 111 for 6, the Indian all-rounder orchestrated a remarkable counter-offensive, smashing three sixes and eight boundaries en route to a rapid 75 off just 69 deliveries, bolstering Mumbai’s total significantly.

In the second innings, Mumbai faced early setbacks with the dismissals of openers Prithvi Shaw and Bhupen Lalwani. However, captain Rahane and the promising youngster Musheer Khan orchestrated a remarkable recovery, stitching together a crucial 130-run partnership. Meanwhile, Shreyas Iyer showcased his fluent strokeplay, nearing a brisk fifty in the opening session on Tuesday.

Sunil Gavaskar Clarifies Comparison Between MS Dhoni and Dhruv Jurel During India-England Ranchi Test.Following his earlier remarks during the India-England Ranchi Test, Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has issued a clarification regarding his comparison of MS Dhoni and Dhruv Jurel. In his latest statement, Gavaskar emphasized that there can only be one Dhoni.

During the fourth Test in Ranchi, Jurel showcased remarkable performance, earning the Player of the Match title for his scores of 90 and an unbeaten 39. India secured a decisive victory by five wickets, sealing the series 3-1 with a game still remaining. Gavaskar commended Jurel’s exceptional composure under pressure, particularly notable as he was playing in only his second Test match.

Gavaskar’s Insight: Jurel’s Potential and Dhoni’s Legacy

During the first innings of the Ranchi Test, as Jurel was steering India out of a challenging situation, Gavaskar remarked that the Uttar Pradesh wicketkeeper bears resemblance to ‘another MS Dhoni in the making’. Addressing this statement, the revered Indian batsman clarified that while no one can replicate Dhoni, Jurel holds promise for a bright future in the sport.

Gavaskar emphasized, “No one can fill the shoes of MS Dhoni. There is only one MS Dhoni. However, if Jurel manages to emulate even a fraction of Dhoni’s accomplishments, it would be a significant boon for Indian cricket.” Speaking on Sports Tak, Gavaskar lauded the young stumper for his potential.

Furthermore, Gavaskar expressed his belief that Jurel’s performance in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) will play a pivotal role in determining his inclusion in the Indian squad for the 2024 T20 World Cup.

“If he secures an opportunity, he will most likely bat at No. 5 or 6, serving as a finisher. We’ve witnessed Dhoni’s mastery in such positions, entering the fray in the final overs of the innings. Similar expectations will be placed upon him,” Gavaskar elaborated on Jurel’s potential role in the team.

Anil Kumble expressed, “Dhruv Jurel undoubtedly possesses all the qualifications to reach the level that MS Dhoni achieved”

Meanwhile, the legendary Indian leg-spinner Anil Kumble believes that Jurel has the potential to attain the same level of success that Dhoni achieved during his illustrious international career. Speaking recently to Jio Cinema, Kumble praised the young talent, stating:

“Dhruv Jurel certainly possesses all the credentials to reach the heights that MS (Dhoni) reached in his career. He has not only demonstrated the temperament and technique in defense but also when he’s on the attack. Even in that first innings, he displayed great assurance, going after the ball and smashing those big sixes.”

SEE ALSO:[Watch]MS Dhoni joins Wife Sakshi and Dwayne Bravo in Dandiya Dance at Anant Ambani-Radhika Merchant Pre-Wedding Celebration

After India slipped to 120/5 in their pursuit of 192 in Ranchi, Jurel partnered with Shubman Gill (52*) to guide the hosts to a series-clinching victory over England, adding an unbeaten 72 runs to the total.

Sunil Gavaskar has descended vigorously on Jofra Bowman for leaving the Mumbai Indians camp halfway through the IPL 2023. Archer, who missed nearly eight months of cricket due to a recurrence of his elbow injury and only played five games for MI this year, left the IPL on May 9 before MI could finish their campaign.

The move didn’t agree with Gavaskar, who feels MI ought not be paying Bowman everything of ₹8 crore they spent on him at the IPL 2022 auction

MI’s speculation on Toxophilite has just gone downhill since they got him. In the wake of missing the whole last season, Bowman was supposed to be the solution to MI’s bowling troubles without a trace of Jasprit Bumrah. In any case, those assumptions came crashing down when Bowman seemed a pale shadow of his previous self. Archer scored 33 runs against RCB, 42 runs against Punjab Kings, and 56 runs against the same opponent in the rematch. This, while picking only 2 wickets. Gavaskar has been most offended by Archer’s attitude, with the former India captain questioning the England fast forward’s dedication to the franchise.

“What has been Mumbai Indians’ experience with Jofra Archer? They took a punt on him knowing that he was injured and would be available only from this season. They paid big money for him and what has he given in return? He didn’t seem 100 per cent fit and he should have informed the franchise about it. They only realised when he turned up and found that he was barely able to bowl at his usual pace. In between the tournament, he went abroad for treatment which is what his country’s cricket board apparently said. So he was never fully fit, but still came over. If he was committed to the franchise, who probably pay him more than the ECB does, he should have stayed right till the end even if he wasn’t going to play and show his commitment towards the franchise. Instead, he has opted to fly off back to the UK,”

Gavaskar wrote in his column for Mid-Day.

During the IPL, there was a report that Archer had traveled to England to see a doctor, but the fast bowler denied it on Twitter. Gavaskar also expects MI to “not be fools” and pump the entire amount assigned to Archer in his bank account now that he has officially returned home to “focus on his rehabilitation” after being ruled out of England’s Ashes squad for the five-Test series against Australia.

“A day later, a story appears that he is going to get a multi-million-pound deal with Mumbai Indians to play for their team in the various leagues in the world. This has got to be the greatest diversionary trick attempted. Mumbai Indians are not fools to sign a lame horse for any future race. Make no mistake, Mumbai Indians won’t be amused at the turn of events and now that they have come back well in the tournament without his presence, he will be lucky if he gets his full fee for the IPL and if he does then he would do well to give half to his favorite charity.”

Archers’ situation isn’t the first time a team has spent a lot of money on a player without getting the returns they expected. Kyle Jamieson ($1 million by CSK), Jhye Richardson ($1.5 million by MI), and Will Jacks ($3.2 million by RCB) have all suffered significant franchise losses this year alone. Gavaskar can’t help but emphasize this enough because it has become quite common.

“There’s simply no point paying even one rupee for a player, however big a name he may be, if he is not going to be available for the entire tournament. It’s got to be the player’s choice to pick playing for an IPL franchise or his country. Full marks to him if he chooses country over IPL, but if he chooses IPL then he has to fulfill his commitments totally and not make some excuse and leave early, especially towards the time when qualifying for the Playoffs becomes crucial,”

added Gavaskar.

“For far too long the franchises have been too lenient and allowed players to leave towards the latter half of the tournament. This is mainly a problem with English players and like said earlier, it is totally understandable to choose to play for the country, but if you have signed up for the IPL then you have to fulfill your commitments to your franchise right till the end of the tournament. If the franchise fails to qualify for the Playoffs, you get to return a week early.”

RCB batter Virat Kohli and Lucknow Super Giants coach Gautam Gambhir engaged in a very aggressive verbal altercation that ended just short of becoming an all-out brawl following an IPL game in Lucknow. Such incidents must not occur again, and Sunil Gavaskar, the former captain of India, has called for more severe punishment, such as a match suspension, rather than substantial fines.

Sunil Gavaskar compared the situation to the Sreesanth-Harbhajan “Slapgate” incident in the Indian Premier League and questioned the efficacy of the steep fines that Kohli and Gambhir have received

“My point is do something which will make sure these things don’t happen again. If it has to, you know, like it happened with Harbhajan Singh and Sreesanth 10 years ago, that you have to ask them to maybe step aside for a couple of matches…make sure you do something that ensures that these things don’t happen and also something that will hurt the team.”

Gavaskar told Star Sports.

“What exactly is a 100 percent match fee? If it is Kohli, who is on maybe Rs 17 crore for RCB, which means Rs 17 crore for a possible 16 matches, including the semi-finals, and finals (sic). So you are talking about a crore of rupees. Is he going to be fined 1 crore and more? Well, that’s a very, very stiff fine. I don’t know what Gambhir’s situation is. They should ensure that this is not repeated. You are hoping that this is not repeated because it’s such a stiff fine, such a stiff punishment.”

Gavaskar further added.

“A lot of it has got to do with the fact that everything is on TV. Because you are on TV, you tend to do maybe just that little bit extra,”

the former opener said.

When Hardik Pandya had an opportunity to captain limited-overs cricket in the absence of Rohit Sharma, he consistently impressed with his leadership abilities.

With his explosive batting and medium-pace bowling, Pandya is an important middle order player. Former captain Sunil Gavaskar is of the opinion that the all-rounder will change the game for India in the upcoming three-match ODI series against Australia.

The concentrate currently moves to the ODIs after India held Line Gavaskar Prize 2-1 with the series opener being played on Friday at the Wankhede Arena in Mumbai.

In the absence of Rohit, who will be absent due to family obligations, Pandya will lead the Indian team in the first one-day international. After the World Cup, Gavaskar sees it as an opportunity for Pandya to claim a leadership position in one-dayers as well.

The 29-year-old all-rounder currently holds the lead for India in the shortest format and captained the Gujarat Titans to a title win in their inaugural season of the Indian Premier League 2022

“I have been very impressed with his captaincy at the T20 level for the Gujarat Titans and for India when he is captaining the T20 side. I do believe that if he wins the first game in Mumbai, then you can almost stamp him as the India captain once the World Cup is over in 2023,”

Gavaskar told Star Sports.

Gavaskar said Pandya’s presence in the middle-order is essential for India.

“He can be an impact player as well as a game changer in the middle-order. Even for the Gujarat team, he was promoting himself up the order knowing that this is the time when the team needed some momentum and push, and he would do that. So, someone who is prepared to take on responsibility, lead from the front, and who will not ask the players to do something that he wants to do himself, is highly crucial,”

Gavaskar said.

Gavaskar added that Pandya’s captaincy style also makes him a favorite among the players.

“What you see with Hardik Pandya as a captain is a sense of comfort with the rest of the team. Maybe, it’s the way he handles the players, puts his arm around the players… He just seems to give the players a sense of comfort. That’s so important… to give a player a sense of comfort so that he can go and play his natural game. I think he encourages them, which is a wonderful sign.”

he added.

Meanwhile, former India player and commentator Ajit Agarkar has backed Rohit to fire with the bat once he links up with the Indian squad.

“His record speaks for itself. You do not need to say anything about Rohit’s performance in white ball cricket. He has taken a slightly different approach at times, trying to be the aggressor at the top of the order,”

Agarkar said.

“Maybe, he changed it a little bit in the last series, giving himself a little more time and got the hundred. I just hope he plays every game that India plays from now on, every one-day, because you want your captain out there to just have a pattern of play,”

he added.

Legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar accepts KL Rahul ought to be considered as the keeper-batter for the WTC final among India and Australia at The Oval simply in light of his batting skills.

New Zealand beat Sri Lanka in a last-ball thriller in Christchurch on Day 5 of the fourth Test between India and Australia in Ahmedabad. The outcome had far-reaching consequences. It eliminated Sri Lanka from contention and guaranteed India a spot in the World Test Championship final regardless of the outcome in Ahmedabad. After the final Test ended in a draw, India won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2-1. The WTC final, scheduled for June 7 at the Oval in England against Australia, quickly became the topic of discussion and focus. How will India prepare for the WTC final after two months of IPL? How will the team function?

The absence of India’s star players Rishabh Pant and Jasprit Bumrah will be a major concern for them. They have been out of the game for a long time due to injuries, and there is no indication that they will soon return to cricket. Although the spinners performed the majority of the bowling in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Bumrah’s absence was not particularly detrimental, it will be challenging to fill his void in English conditions.

Pant is no different. During the four Test matches against Australia, he was terribly missed as a batsman and a keeper. KS Bharat did not perform well with the bat, and neither did his keeping in front of the turning ball. The pitch in the WTC final is unlikely to favor spinners, but that will put Bharat’s batting back in the spotlight. Pant has been one of India’s most consistent batters in Test cricket played overseas, scoring his first hundred at the same location in 2018 while playing for England.

Sunil Gavaskar, a legendary Indian cricketer, thinks that KL Rahul should be considered a keeper-batsman for the WTC final because of his ability to bat

“You can see KL Rahul as a wicketkeeper. If he bats at No.5 or 6 in at the Oval (in the WTC final) then our batting will be stronger. Because he batted really well in England last year. He scored a century at the Lord’s. Keep KL Rahul in mind when you pick your XI for the WTC final,”

Gavaskar told Sports Tak.

After the first two Tests of the Australia series, Rahul lost his vice captaincy and was dropped from the team. In his final ten innings of Test cricket, he failed to even score 30 runs. However, he is India’s first-choice keeper in one-day internationals and has a track record of success in English conditions. In point of fact, his performance on India’s most recent tour of England earned him a spot in the Test team.

Gavaskar stated that selecting Rahul for the one Test will give the Indian batting unit more depth, highlighting Dinesh Karthik’s comments regarding Bharat’s issues as a keeper. On pitches like these, where the ball is turning, the real test for a wicketkeeper is not to stand up to the stumps, but England’s pitches will. Given that their batting skills are superior to Bharat’s, Gavaskar is of the opinion that Rahul and even Ishan Kishan should be taken into consideration.

“Dinesh Karthik summed up the problems with his wicket keeping quite beautifully (during commentary). The real test of a wicketkeeper is on pitches like these where the ball is turning. If you look at Travis Head’s dismissal, when the ball turned and hit his stumps, KS Bharat’s gloves were nowhere near the ball. That means, if the ball hadn’t hit the stumps, it would have resulted in 4 byes. This is definitely a cause for concern. Whether they will select him in the XI or not is up to the selection committee but in England, you won’t get pitches where the keeper has to stand up to the stumps. In that case, you can pick KL Rahul as a wicketkeeper and even Ishan Kishan can be considered. Their batting is better than Bharat’s,”

he added.

The absence of key players like Bumrah and Pant will be cause for concern as India prepares for the WTC final. India can still field a strong batting unit, however, with players like KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, and others in the mix. Sunil Gavaskar’s endorsement of KL Rahul’s batting abilities as a keeper-batsman will undoubtedly be taken into consideration when selecting the final XI for the WTC final, although the final decision will be made by the selection committee.

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.”

READ MORE: IND vs AUS: David Warner ruled out of remaining Tests due to injury

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.