Former Australia National Cricket Team pacer Mitchell Johnson has called out former India National Cricket Team skipper Sunil Gavaskar for distracting the Australian team amid the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. He said that the batting great is using media platforms to take advantage of Josh Hazlewood‘s comment.
Australia National Cricket Team pacer Josh Hazlewood, who has been ruled out of the second Test with injury, made some comments during the Perth Test that have flamed a massive controversy. After the hosts looked clueless against the India National Cricket Team in the first Test, the pacer was asked about the team’s performance and his reply amazed many.
Michael Vaughan and Sunil Gavaskar raise concerns of rift in the Australian dressing room after Josh Hazlewood’s comment
Josh Hazlewood blamed the batters, saying “You probably have to ask one of the batters that question.” This made, especially Adam Gilchrist, speculate that there is a rift going on in the Australian dressing room. The comments were also echoed by Michael Vaughan as well.
Not only Adam Gilchrist and Michael Vaughan, but Sunil Gavaskar also shared his verdict on the same. The batting great questioned Josh Hazlewood’s injury, saying why the pacer was dropped after making that comment and pointed out that he looked comfortable in the Perth Test.
I don’t understand why he is commenting on the Australian players – Mitchell Johnson on Michael Vaughan
The comments of Michael Vaughan and Sunil Gavaskar didn’t go well with Mitchell Johnson. The former Australia National Cricket Team pacer first lashed out at the English commentator, saying that he should focus on England and not on Australia. Writing in his column for 7News, Mitchell Johnson explained:
“Everyone has their say now, even people from countries not involved in the Test series they are commentating on such as Michael Vaughan on Fox Cricket. We’ve got an ex-England captain here stirring the pot with his opinions on our Australian players and team ahead of the Ashes next summer.
“While I understand Vaughan has plenty of experience and knowledge of the game, I don’t understand why he is commenting on the Australian players. His loyalty is with England, not Australia.”
Sunil Gavaskar is using his media platform to distract, disrupt, annoy, and take advantage of a comment Hazelwood made – Mitchell Johnson
Mitchell Johnson further went on to lash out at Sunil Gavaskar. He said that although he has enjoyed working with the batting great, the former India skipper used Josh Hazlewood’s statement to get a reaction and aid India. He added:
“With respect to Gavaskar and his commentary in general – I’ve enjoyed working with him in the past and learned a lot just sitting and listening to him talk about the game – his take this week is nothing more than a wind-up.
“Gavaskar is using his media platform to distract, disrupt, annoy, and take advantage of a comment Hazelwood made. That’s Gavaskar’s job, to make comments on what he sees, but it was done for no other reason than to get a reaction and aid India.”
India National Cricket Team won the first game by a massive margin of 295 runs. The second Test between the teams gets underway on 6th December in Adelaide.
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