Sunil Gavaskar’s trenchant critique of the Duncan Fletcher era is just what Indian cricket needs (though Fletcher may disagree). Gavaskar believes it is time Fletcher made way for a younger coach – one more in tune with the demands of the modern game – and he has pulled no punches in saying so.
Gavaskar has been increasingly forthright since India travelled to South Africa, whether on screen as a commentator, in his position as a cricket expert for NDTV or in print, as he did with the Fletcher piece. He is simply calling them as he sees them and it is refreshing to watch him do it.
There are few men or women in world cricket who can match Gavaskar’s achievements and knowledge of the game. He has been there and done that many times over. That’s why an honest and direct Gavaskar is of enormous value to any discussion surrounding Indian cricket. Whether one agrees or disagrees is not the point. What matters is going beyond the BCCI echo chamber and not simply parroting the party line.
Over the last couple of months, Gavaskar has not been shy in critcising India’s failure to win the first Test in South Africa, pointing out India’s domestic cricket set-up does not reward going for a win, slammed the team’s work ethic during the Asia Cup, as was baffled by India’s refusal to play reserve players in the Asia Cup game against Afghanistan in a game without consequences for either side.
He isn’t couching his criticism in generalities, either. After India named that unchanged side against Afghanistan, Gavaskar did not hold back on live TV. “The only thing that comes to my mind is that there is that worry and there’s probably a fear that if these guys do well, what happens to our favourites in the team...
Gavaskar has been increasingly forthright since India travelled to South Africa, whether on screen as a commentator, in his position as a cricket expert for NDTV or in print, as he did with the Fletcher piece. He is simply calling them as he sees them and it is refreshing to watch him do it.
There are few men or women in world cricket who can match Gavaskar’s achievements and knowledge of the game. He has been there and done that many times over. That’s why an honest and direct Gavaskar is of enormous value to any discussion surrounding Indian cricket. Whether one agrees or disagrees is not the point. What matters is going beyond the BCCI echo chamber and not simply parroting the party line.
Over the last couple of months, Gavaskar has not been shy in critcising India’s failure to win the first Test in South Africa, pointing out India’s domestic cricket set-up does not reward going for a win, slammed the team’s work ethic during the Asia Cup, as was baffled by India’s refusal to play reserve players in the Asia Cup game against Afghanistan in a game without consequences for either side.
He isn’t couching his criticism in generalities, either. After India named that unchanged side against Afghanistan, Gavaskar did not hold back on live TV. “The only thing that comes to my mind is that there is that worry and there’s probably a fear that if these guys do well, what happens to our favourites in the team...
Source: Cricket News
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