'Am being sexist?' Sunil Gavaskar finally responds to Anushka Sharma's criticism

Former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has infused a clarification after his recent remarks on Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma made the headlines for all the wrong reasons. As Virat Kohli's team Royal Challengers Bangalore lost the match to Kings XI Punjab by a massive 97 runs in the IPL 2020, actress and wife to the franchise's skipper Anushka Sharma was once again had to face the wrath of criticism on social media for RCB and in particular Kohli's poor display.

However, things started to look even more ugly when former Indian skipper Sunil Gavaskar too joined the team of internet trolls to make a 'distasteful' remark against Anushka, blaming her for Kohli's performance. While on commentary duties, opining on Kohli`s poor form during the match, the former Indian opener made a snide remark involving Anushka that many thoughts was in poor taste. Gavaskar remarked, “Inhone lockdown me to bas Anushka ki gendon ki practice ki hain". (Virat Kohli has only trained against Anushka’s balls during the lockdown).

Later, Anushka took to Instagram Stories and posted a long note expressing disapproval over Gavaskar`s comment.

She wrote: "That, Mr Gavaskar, your message is distasteful is a fact but I would love for you to explain why you thought of making such a sweeping statement on a wife accusing her for her husband's game? I`m sure over the years you have respected the private lives of every cricketer while commenting on the game. Don`t you think you should have equal amount of respect for me and us?" "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 your words only relevant if you use my name in the process?"

"It`s 2020 and things still don`t change for me. When will I stop getting dragged into cricket and stop being used to pass sweeping statements?"

"Respected Mr. Gavaskar, you are a legend whose name stands tall in this gentleman`s game. Just wanted to tell you what I felt when I heard you say this."

However, Gavaskar has finally responded to all the allegations made against him.

"As you hear from the commentary, Aakash and I were doing commentary for the Hindi channel," Gavaskar was quoted as saying by multiple outlets.

"And Aakash was talking about the fact that there has been very little chance for proper practice for everybody. That has actually shown in the rustiness of some of the players in their first matches."

"Rohit didn’t strike the ball well in his first match, MSD didn’t strike the ball well, Virat also didn’t strike the ball. Most of the batsmen have because of the lack of practice. That was the point that was being made. Virat also had no practice and the only practice that he had was when we saw them playing in their building compound and Anushka was bowling to him. That’s what I said. That’s the only bowling, I have not used any other word. She was bowling to him, that’s all," he added.

"Where am I blaming her? Where am I being sexist in this? I am just stating what was seen in the video which was maybe recorded by somebody in the neighbouring buildings and then put up. That’s the only thing I am doing. 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 concluded.