New Delhi: Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar reacted to India’s 4-1 win over England in the recently concluded Test match series. Gavaskar, known for his outspoken nature, didn’t hold back in criticizing England for their perceived superiority complex, emphasizing the satisfaction derived from India’s triumph over a team that carried an air of arrogance, led by Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum.
The absence of key players like Virat Kohli and KL Rahul, coupled with India’s initial 0-1 deficit, added to the significance of this series win, making it one of India’s most remarkable Test series victories. Gavaskar also highlighted the impressive performance of young talents such as Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel, Devdutt Padikkal, and Akash Deep, contributing to India’s success.
In his column for The Sportstar, Gavaskar criticized England for their constant chirping and perceived arrogance, which he believes stems from their lack of success in the Indian Premier League (IPL), contrasting it with the adaptability and success of Australian players in the IPL. Gavaskar points out the IPL’s immense financial rewards, which have eluded English players.
“The Australians have shown a better attitude by adapting to our culture and treating us locals with respect. Moreover, they acknowledge the commercial value of the IPL and the opportunities it provides to earn big bucks. Even the Australian players, who were once considered inferior to others, are now being sold at exorbitant prices. Additionally, the Australian coaches, physios, trainers, and other personnel associated with them are making more money than they would back home. This has made the IPL a huge success and a profitable venture for everyone involved.”
While Australian players have reaped significant financial benefits from the IPL, with examples like Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins securing lucrative deals, English players have had limited success in terms of IPL earnings. Gavaskar connects this disparity to the ongoing verbal confrontations between Indian and English players, attributing it to England’s underwhelming performance and limited participation in the IPL.
Gavaskar suggests that the reluctance of English players to commit fully to the IPL due to potential scheduling conflicts with their national team responsibilities has resulted in fewer opportunities and financial rewards compared to their Australian counterparts.
Related