Cricket-turned-commentator Sunil Gavaskar castigated English commentators after their comments on Indian supporters of favoritism during the ongoing Ashes 2023. The England crowd were spotted cheering only when the hosts' team performed well. On the other hand, the commentators were supporting the home team to win the game even after Australia's brilliant performances during the first two Tests.
Former India cricketer questioned the thought process of the commentators, saying it's quite normal for home fans to encourage their local team, but to say that it only happens in India is baseless.
“It’s only natural that the crowds will support their own team and won’t cheer the opponents, but to suggest that it happens only in India is ridiculous. This is not an Indian phenomena, but happens in every country where home crowds keep silent when a boundary is hit against their bowlers or their batters get out," Gavaskar wrote in his Mid-Day column.
“Nowhere has it been more apparent than at the current Ashes series. What bugs is the condescending way, overseas commentators, when they come to India, keep saying how quiet the Indian crowd at the ground is when an Indian batter gets out or when an Indian bowler is hit for a boundary," he added.
To add to that, Gavaskar also lambasted the English media after how they managed the dismissal of Jonny Bairstow during the second Ashes Test at Lord's.
“Typically, while the cricketing world is busy discussing the rights and wrongs of the Jonny Bairstow stumping in the second Test match at Lord’s, the really important cricketing aspect of Ben Stokes’s marvellous innings has receded into the background. It’s a great example of how little things so often overshadow the more important happenings," the legendary former Indian player stated.
“This has been the usual diversionary tactic used by the overseas media for years where a small insignificant incident is made to cover up for a bigger failure of the team," Gavaskar signed off.