'We Allow Everybody to Meddle Into Our Cricket': Sunil Gavaskar Responds to Former PCB Chief's Tall Claims

When the dust settles on Asia Cup 2023, one of the few things that will surely be remembered is the tussle between BCCI and Pakistan Cricket Board with respect to the venue of the tournament which for the first time is being held across two nations. BCCI said it cannot send the Indian team to Pakistan for the event and hence, a hybrid model was agreed upon meaning Sri Lanka entered the picture as co-host.

However, with matches being impacted by rain in Sri Lanka and more forecast of rain for the coming few days in Colombo, there were speculations that the remainder of the tournament (Super Four and final) could be shifted to Hambantota.

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As it turned out, the schedule remained unchanged but former PCB chief Najam Sethi took this as a chance to take a shot at Indian accusing them of being ‘scared’ to face Pakistan in Hambantota.

Batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has responded to the tall claims of Sethi but he instead as has advised the Indian media to not pay any heed to such remarks.

“If you have a look at all the statements that come out from their side which sadly our media gives them the prominence,  we have Pakistani players, Australian players selecting Indian team,” Gavaskar said on Sports Today.

“How is it their concern? We have in our papers so and so saying ‘he should have been included’. Does Harbhajan, myself, Kapil Dev or anybody select the Australian team or Pakistani team? We don’t, it’s none our  business. But we allow everybody to meddle into our cricket,” he added.

Gavaskar says overseas players always compare their stars with Indian counterparts and claim superiority.

“From there it’s always Babar is better than Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma; Shaheen Afridi is better than so and so. Inzamam-ul-haq is better than Sachin Tendulkar. For them, they are always better than us. That is the way they have to cater to their audience. That is what happens,” Gavaskar pointed out.

“Don’t give them space in your papers. You have a South Africa saying a player should be in your team. You have an Australian saying. How is it their concern? They are not selectors. It happens too often. They say who should bat at no. 3 or no. 4. Come on, we don’t need your advice,” he added.