Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar has laid out his criticism towards English commentators for their commentary biased towards the home team and their remarks on Indian fans regarding favoritism during the Ashes 2023. Gavaskar argued that it is natural for local fans to support their home team, using England as an example.
In recent matches, the crowds in England have been observed celebrating predominantly when the home team performs well in the ongoing Ashes series. England cricketers-turned-commentators have consistently backed the hosts to win, even in situations where Australia held commanding positions, winning the first two Tests.
“It’s only natural that the crowds will support their own team and won’t cheer for the opponents, but to suggest that it only happens in India is ridiculous. This is not an Indian phenomenon; it happens in every country where home crowds remain silent when a boundary is hit against their bowlers or when their batters get out,” Gavaskar wrote in his column for Mid Day.
He further expressed his discontent with overseas commentators who often comment on the seemingly quiet Indian crowd when an Indian batter gets out or an Indian bowler is hit for a boundary. Gavaskar highlighted the current Ashes series as a prime example of this behavior.
“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,” added the cricketer-turned-commentator.
Additionally, Gavaskar criticized the English media for their handling of Jonny Bairstow’s dismissal, pointing out that the focus on England captain Ben Stokes’ century overshadowed the debate surrounding the ‘spirit of cricket.’
“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 marvelous innings has receded into the background. It’s a great example of how little things so often overshadow the more important happenings,” Gavaskar wrote further.
