Former India skipper Sunil Gavaskar has slammed some ex-Pakistan cricketers for their unsavory remarks about Indians cricketers. In recent times, several former Pakistan cricketers have caused quite a stir with their controversial remarks about India stars especially Virat Kohli.
A number of former cricketers from other side of the border have opened their YouTube channels and do not miss any chance to comment on Indian cricket and their stars. Recently, former Pakistan pacer Sohail Khan raised quite a number of eyebrows with his comments for Kohli.
And as former Pakistan cricketers continue targeting India stars, Sunil Gavaskar believes they do it because Pakistan cricketers are not allowed to play in the IPL. Players from Pakistan have not been allowed to play in the IPL after the inaugural season due to political reasons. He stated that while IPL has bridged the gap across the world, Pakistani cricketers are yet to experience it.
“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 reduced one bit and that’s how it should be,” Sunil Gavaskar wrote in his column for Mid-Day.
Sunil Gavaskar on Pakistan players:
Writing further, Sunil Gavaskar explained the reason behind Pakistani cricketers’ obsession with Indian cricketers. The legendary batsman accused the Indian media of ‘pulling players down’ before explaining why cricketers from Pakistan criticise Indian players. Sunil Gavaskar stated that the Pakistani cricketers do it to gain social media traction.
“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,” said Gavaskar.
“It’s a trick that is used by them knowing that to increase their followers all that they have to do is say uncomplimentary stuff about Indian players, past or present. Have you ever heard or read any Indian player past or present saying anything about the players from across the border? Frankly, nobody cares, so no Indian that I know has said anything about the players from across the border. It’s simply not our style. If our online media ignores what is said across the border then it will automatically stop, but our media will publish it even if it is pulling a fellow Indian down,” he added.