Gavaskar Criticizes Foreign Players’ Comments on Indian Cricket

Sunil Gavaskar, the former Indian cricketer, has strongly condemned foreign players who have been critical of Team India’s selection for the forthcoming T20 Asia Cup 2025, which is set to be held in the UAE next month.

Responding to the debate surrounding Shreyas Iyer’s exclusion from the T20I squad, Gavaskar emphasized that while discussions within India are commonplace, international players possess “no vested interest in Indian cricket” and should abstain from commenting on subjects that do not involve them.

“In a nation as expansive as India, characterized by its diverse languages, cultures, and, crucially, the extensive pool of talent, these kinds of debates, discussions, and differing opinions are perfectly aligned with the vibrant nature of India—where debate and argument surround nearly everything. This is all part of the normal course of events,” Gavaskar expressed in his column for Sportstar.

He also conveyed his irritation regarding overseas cricketers commenting on India’s selection decisions.

“What is perplexing, however, is that foreigners with absolutely no connection to Indian cricket, and limited understanding of it, are entering the debate and exacerbating the situation,” he remarked.

“Regardless of their accomplishments as players and their number of visits to India, the selection of the Indian team is strictly their concern. They should concentrate on their own nation’s cricket and permit Indians to manage their own cricket affairs,” he further stated.

The 76-year-old also highlighted what he perceives as a discrepancy from international commentators, noting that they rarely criticize their own teams but readily comment on India’s selections.

“It’s noteworthy that when their own country’s teams are chosen, there is rarely any criticism or commentary about the selections. It’s as if the selection is flawless, and they have no remarks to offer. So, why interfere with the selection process of the Indian team?” he inquired.

“Have you ever heard former Indian cricketers discussing the selection of other countries’ teams? We mind our own affairs and are not concerned with their choices,” he observed.

The former right-handed batsman also attributed blame to segments of the Indian media for frequently inviting international cricketers to share their views on Indian cricket.

He proposed that certain foreign players make inflammatory statements solely to increase engagement on their social media platforms.

“In this era of public media, where the objective is to gain views and followers, one of the quickest routes to increase numbers is by commenting on Indian matters.

Often, these comments are negative, which elicits a significant response from Indian keyboard users, thereby boosting their follower count. If one possesses thick skin, it is even more advantageous. This explains why numerous overseas cricketers have sustained their livelihoods by provoking Indian cricket enthusiasts with their predominantly negative remarks about Indian cricket and cricketers,” he explained.

He also emphasized the role the Indian media plays in amplifying these external viewpoints.

“The Indian media shares some responsibility, as they frequently seek opinions on Indian cricket from overseas cricketers,” he noted.

“How often do we observe members of the Indian media pursuing former players from the host country—players largely forgotten even by their own nation—for interviews during overseas tours? It is as if validation regarding Indian cricket and its cricketers must be sourced from international players,” he added.

The upcoming Asia Cup represents India’s first T20I assignment since their home series against England in January. The eight-team tournament is scheduled to commence on September 9 with the opening match between Afghanistan and Hong Kong.

Group A includes rivals Pakistan and India, along with UAE and Oman, while Group B comprises Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, and Hong Kong.

India is set to begin its campaign against UAE in Dubai on September 10, followed by a highly anticipated match against Pakistan on September 14, before concluding the group stage against Oman in Abu Dhabi on September 19.

India’s squad for the Asia Cup:
Suryakumar Yadav (capt), Shubman Gill (vc), Hardik Pandya, Arshdeep Singh, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube , Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy , Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Rinku Singh, Sanju Samson
Reserve players: Prasidh Krishna, Washington Sundar, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Yashasvi Jaiswal