Dubai: Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar clarified his position on Friday (September 25) after Bollywood actor Anushka Sharma posted on Instagram, taking offense of what Gavaskar said when commenting on her husband Virat Kohli’s performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 game against Kings XI Punjab on September 24. Gavaskar said neither he blamed Kohli or Sharma for his failure nor had he made any sexist remarks during the match and his comments were being misinterpreted.
“Firstly, I would like to say it again. Where am I blaming her? I am not blaming her. I am only saying that the video said that she was bowling to Virat. Virat has played only that bowling during the lockdown period. It’s a tennis ball, fun game that people have to pass time during the lockdown. That’s all,” Gavaskar told India Today.
“Where am I blaming her for Virat’s failures? The point I am trying to make is that there was no practice for anybody, including Virat in the lockdown. I am not being sexist. If somebody, has interpreted it, what can I do?”
“You know me, I am the one who has always batted for wives going with husbands on tour. I am the one that a normal guy going to the office for a 9-5 job, when he comes back home, he comes back to his wife. Similarly, cricketers, when they go out for a tour or even when they are playing at home, why can’t they have their wives with them? Because after their working hours are over, they have to get back to their wives like every other common man does. So I am not blaming her,” he further stated.
Trying to explain his comment he said, “As you can hear from the commentary, Aakash was talking about the fact there has been very little chance for any proper practice in the lockdown, for everybody. that has actually shown the rustiness of some of the players in their first matches. Rohit Sharma didn’t strike the ball well, now in the second match he has got runs, MSD didn’t strike the ball well in the first match.”
He also explained what he actually meant to say, “I’m just only stating what was seen on the video which was maybe recorded by somebody in the neighbouring buildings and put up and that’s the only thing I’m doing, but the point I’m trying to make is that there was no practice for anybody including Virat in the lockdown. I have not been sexist, if somebody has interpreted it, what can I do,” Gavaskar said.
