Former Indian batter Sunil Gavaskar criticized the national media for giving excessive attention to the opinions of foreign cricketers regarding Indian cricket. His comments followed widespread global reactions to India’s 2025 Asia Cup squad.
Although India announced a solid 15-member team for the tournament, several former players, both from India and abroad, questioned some inclusions and omissions. Writing in his Sportstar column, Gavaskar expressed his disapproval of the Indian media’s obsession with overseas cricketers’ viewpoints, saying:
“The Indian media is also responsible, as they go to overseas cricketers and ask them about Indian cricket. How often, on overseas tours, do we see members of the Indian media chasing former players from the host country — players whom even their own nation has almost forgotten — for an interview?”
He further added, “It’s almost as if validation about Indian cricket and its cricketers has to be obtained from overseas players. One can say with confidence that the post-independence generation of Indian cricketers had no inferiority complex and were prepared to stand toe to toe with the opposition when playing overseas.”
“Commenting On Indian Matters Is The Quickest Way To Boost Numbers – Sunil Gavaskar
Sunil Gavaskar criticized the foreign media for exploiting Indian cricket to attract views and followers. Beyond their opinions on team selections, former overseas players have also commented extensively on issues such as the recent Test retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
“Today, in the days of public media, where getting views and followers is the theme, one of the fastest ways to increase the numbers is by commenting on matters Indian. And mostly, they do it negatively, so there is a huge reaction from Indian keyboard users, which in turn boosts their follower count,” said Gavaskar.
He further added, “If you have thick skin, then all the better. That’s why so many overseas cricketers have made a living by needling the Indian cricket lovers with their mostly negative comments about Indian cricket and cricketers.”
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