Legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar was heavily trolled and slammed on social media after commenting on Indian captain Virat Kohli and his wife Anushka Sharma during an IPL match. Putting up a stout defense, Gavaskar has now clarified that he has not given any 'sexist comment' against Virat Kohli's actor wife Anushka Sharma and nor blamed her for Virat Kohli's failure after the RCB skipper had an off day in the office. The iconic cricketer added that people should listen carefully to what he actually said before making headlines.
Gavasker gave clarification during his commentary in the match being played between Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals today in Dubai and urged critics to watch the video of yesterday's commentary and then decide.
Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Virat Kohli's performance against Kings XI Punjab on Thursday was not good. After dropping two catches during the match, Kohli also failed to score runs with the bat and could score only one run from five balls.
"I did not give any sexist comment. I just said that Virat Kohli didn't get time to practice during the lockdown. We all saw how Virat Kohli was practicing on his terrace and Anushka was bowling to him. I just said Virat only got a chance to practice on Anushka's bowling," Gavaskar said on air during the Delhi Capitals-Chennai Super Kings game.
"I request everybody to watch and hear it again then say whatever you want to. Don't read the headlines, hear and watch on your own. I did not say anything sexist, nor I was trying to blame anyone, when I was talking about training during the lockdown, it was not when Kohli was dismissed. He was dismissed 3-4 balls later," he added.
"I request everybody to watch and hear it again then say whatever you want to. Don't read the headlines, hear and watch on your own. I did not say anything sexist, nor I was trying to blame anyone, when I was talking about training during the lockdown, it was not when Kohli was dismissed. He was dismissed 3-4 balls later," he added.
Anushka Sharma also reacted to Sunil Gavaskar's comment by sharing an Instagram story and demanded an explanation from the veteran commentator for such 'distasteful comment'.
"It's 2020 and still things don't change for me. When will I stop getting dragged into cricket and stop being used to pass sweeping comments? I'm 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?"
Gavaskar said that his statement was not understood in the right context. According to Gavaskar the comment was in reference to a video clip in which Kohli and Anushka were seen enjoying tennis ball cricket in their home premises.