Sunil Gavaskar has launched a fierce attack on the Indian cricket team management following their shocking loss to Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. The legendary Indian cricketer has expressed his frustration with the team management’s approach ahead of their Australia tour, criticizing their decision to skip pre-tour practice matches.
India, who had dominated the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the last decade, saw their reign end on January 5 as they were defeated 3-1 in the five-match Test series by Australia. This loss not only handed Australia the prestigious Border-Gavaskar Trophy but also ended India’s hopes of reaching their third consecutive World Test Championship (WTC) final.
Sunil Gavaskar slams Indian cricket team after Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 loss
Now, Australia is set to face South Africa in the WTC Final 2025 at Lord’s in June. Following the embarrassment, Sunil Gavaskar emphasized how vital these practice matches are for players to adjust to different conditions, especially when facing formidable teams like Australia.
Ahead of the five-match Test series, the Indian cricket team opted not to play any warm-up matches, citing concerns over player injuries. They relied on intra-squad games for preparation, which initially seemed successful after their massive win in the first BGT 2024-25 Test at Perth.
However, the Indian cricket team’s decision came under scrutiny after they were crushed by 10 wickets in the second Test against Australia, which came after their single practice game against Australia’s Prime Minister’s XI. Gavaskar, known for his candid opinions, has criticized this decision, highlighting that the lack of preparation hurt the team’s performance.
Sunil Gavaskar blasts India’s decision to skip practice matches in Australia
The legendary batter has further lashed out at Indian cricket team management and players for ignoring the advice from the cricket pundits. With India suffering a humiliating 3-1 defeat against Australia, Gavaskar’s frustration was evident, taking a bold swipe at the team for taking the value of opinions from cricket pundits for granted.
Sunil Gavaskar has openly slammed India by saying that the commentators, like himself, are just there to fill airtime, offering their thoughts for the sake of entertainment. The commentator further mentioned that they don’t have any knowledge about cricket, and that’s why the players and the team management don’t take them seriously.
Further expressing his frustration, Gavaskar bluntly suggested the Indian players never listen to the advice of the former cricketers like they are nothing, as the commentators like him just speak for the sake of television and get money, and the result is in front of all of the world.
We just talk about cricket on television: Sunil Gavaskar
Sunil Gavaskar said on Star Sports: “What do we know about cricket? We don’t know anything about cricket. We just talk about it on television. It’s none of our business. And we’re fine. We just talk about it on television. Actually, there’s no point in listening to us. It’s fine; listen from one ear, remove from another.
Let it come. Let it go from the top. No problem. We just speak just for the sake of TV and get money; don’t listen to us; we’re nothing. Whatever I said, let it go from the top. No problem. Do you understand?”
honestly speaking, if the trophy was named after me i’d have been pissed in a similar way
Credits: disney+ hotstar pic.twitter.com/hZemQiUP2G
— s (@_sectumsempra18) January 5, 2025