Legendary batsman Sunil Gavaskar is facing the heat on Twitter after coming up with a controversial comment on air while commentating during the match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kings XI Punjab. The former India skipper is facing severe criticism for his comments on Virat Kohli and his wife Anushka Sharma.
The RCB skipper had an off day in the field as his team suffered a crushing 97-run defeat. The batting superstar dropped Kings XI Punjab captain KL Rahul twice and the latter went on to make his India captain pay a big price for the same. Rahul was on 83 and 89 when he was dropped by Virat Kohli and went on to smash an unbeaten 132 off just 69 balls.
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His stunning knock was studded with 14 fours and seven sixes. After being dropped by Virat Kohli, Rahul smashed 42 runs from just 9 balls. In the 19th over, he hit Dale Steyn for 26 runs before ending the innings by hitting Shivam Dube for a four and two sixes on the final three balls. Riding on Rahul’s knock, Kings XI Punjab went on to post a huge total of 206 for 3 in the allotted 20 overs.
Virat Kohli’s miseries were further compounded by his poor batting display. He could manage just 1 before being sent back by Sheldon Cottrell. On the other hand, RCB were all out for just 109 in 17 overs to suffer a huge defeat at the very start of the competition.
Soon after Virat Kohli came out to bat, Sunil Gavaskar came up with a surprising comment for the India captain. And while he didn’t really mean any disrespect for the RCB captain and his wife, one can say that his comment was perhaps uncalled for and highly personal. Sunil Gavaskar said,
“Lockdown tha to inhone sirf Anushka ki bowling ki practice ki hai”
Gavaskar was referring to a video clip that went viral after it was posted on a Kohli fan page. In the video, Kohli can be seen bowling to Anushka before taking to the stumps. The video then shows Anushka bowling to him.
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Finally after soo much long time saw Virat Batting 🥳
Virat Anushka playing cricket in building today🥳
Anushka bowls a Bouncer to Virat😂#ViratKohli #AnushkaSharma #Cricket pic.twitter.com/XFmfs3hiBt— Virarsh (@Cheeku218) May 15, 2020
Gavaskar’s remark, however, did not go down well with Kohli’s fans, with some urging the BCCI to remove him from the commentary panel. Reacting to Gavaskar’s comment, Anushka Sharma posted on Instagram.
Anushka Sharma wrote in her Instagram story,
“That, Mr Gavaskar, your message is distasteful is a fact but I would love for you to explain why you thought of making such a sweeping statement on a wife accusing her for her husband’s game? I am sure over the years you have respected the private lives of every cricketer while commentating on the game. Don’t you think you should have equal amount of respect for me and us? I am sure you can have many other words and sentences in your mind to use to comment on my husband’s performance from last night or are your words only relevant if you use my name in the process? It’s 2020 and things still don’t change for me. When will I stop getting dragged into cricket and stop being used to pass sweeping statements? Respected Mr Gavaskar, you are a legend whose names stands tall in this gentleman’s game. Just wanted to tell you what I felt when I heard you say this.”
This alsofuelled outrage among twitterati who slammed the veteran for Gavaskar’s insensitive remark. Here are some of the reactions:
Not only #SunilGavaskar but also many others blame & say bad about #AnushkaSharma whenever #Kohli makes mistake. This is not done & this must be stopped now.#SunilGavaskar sir should apologize or #Kohli & #BCCI should take actions.#RCBvKXIP#IPL2020
— Lob Mukherjee (@lob_mukherjee) September 25, 2020
For Tweeple to troll @AnushkaSharma for @imVkohli performance is disgusting. And the less said about Sunil Gavaskar the better. In fact BCCI should remove him from the commentators’ panel for the MCP attitude. #BoycottGavaskar
— Navika Kumar (@navikakumar) September 25, 2020
#SunilGavaskar even if your intentions were right hope you do realize that it was poor, unnecessary, & distasteful conduct by u & has hurt people for all the right reasons. So, pls apologize to #AnushkaSharma & promise to be careful going forth & like a #GENTLEMAN all can move on
— Finderskeepah (@finderskeepah) September 25, 2020
Wow, Indians do detest women.
“Inhone lockdown mei to bas Anushka ki gehndon ki practice ki hai,” Sunil Gavaskar.
Not to mention the trolls who are after Anuskha for RCB’s abysmal performance.
SHAME ON YOU LOT!!!
Esp you, Gavaskar!#RCB
— Shamini.M.R (@Not_A_Shammer) September 24, 2020
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Veteran players who are now serving as commentators are taking too much liberty to comment on players . Then Nasser Hussain and now Gavaskar .Action must be taken on Gavaskar to give message to rest of critics as well#SunilGavaskar #AnushkaSharma
— Vinnesha vinnu (@vinnesha) September 25, 2020
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