Key Points :
- Actress Anushka Sharma slammed Former Indian Cricketer over his commentary during the RCB vs KXIP Cricket Match.
- Sunil Gavaskar had commented on Kohli’s lack of practice showing in his game while referencing a video of Anushka and Virat that went viral.
- Gavaskar has clarified that he has not made any sexist comment and they have not been received in the right context.
Former Indian Cricketer Sunil Gavaskar clarified that he has not made any “sexist” comment after Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma put out a statement slamming him for his commentary.
During RCB’s Match against KXIP, Gavaskar had said, “Ab joh lockdown tha to sirf Anushka ki bowling ki practice ki unhone, wo video dekhi hai (reference to a viral video), usse to kuch nahi hona hai (During the recent lockdown he only practised to Anushka’s bowling, I saw a video. But that is not going to be enough).”
The comments were made on Kohli’s performance against Punjab who was having a rare off-day.
In a message posted to her Instagram story, Sharma 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 commentating 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 are 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.”
Gavaskar has maintained his comments were not understood in the right context.
Speaking to India Today channel, Gavaskar said,“Firstly, I would like to say, where am I blaming her, I am not blaming her. I am only saying that the video showed she was bowling to Virat. Virat has only played that much bowling in this lockdown period.Virat has played only that bowling during the lockdown period. It’s a tennis ball, fun game that people have to pass time during the lockdown. That’s all. Where am I blaming her for Virat’s failures?”
“As you hear from the commentary, Aakash (Chopra) and I were doing commentary for the Hindi channel. 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,”
Gavaskar further explained that his comments were made in reference to a video of Anushka Sharma bowling to Kohli during the lockdown that had gone viral.
Gavaskar’s clarification has divided Twitter with some fans criticising Anushka Sharma for victimising herself and others accusing Gavaskar of casual sexism.
