'It's simply not our style' - Gavaskar slams former Pakistan players for their agenda to bring Indian cricketers in lesser light

Sunil Gavaskar (Image credits: Twitter)

India's batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has slammed former Pakistan cricketers for making 'uncomplimentary' remarks against Indian cricketers to gain media attention. Gavaskar is of the opinion that the restriction on Pakistani players to participate in the Indian T20 League is what prompts them to make such remarks. It is every cricketer's dream to play in the world's best cricket T20 league and the tournament also creates an opportunity to explore the talent of players from different countries.

Gavaskar, one of the greatest opening batters of all time, says the Indian T20 league has bridged the gap between players around the world, except for the hosts' arch-rivals Pakistan. Due to the political tension between the two countries, Pakistani cricketers were only included in the inaugural edition of the ITL. This is what Gavaskar feels is the reason behind the animosity of Pakistani cricketers towards Indian cricketers.

"While there will always be a bit of banter between players, the angry and sometimes vulgar exchanges are a thing of the past. Today, if there are any such issues, it's invariably between players who don't play the ITL and thus have a bit of resentment towards the Indian players who play against them. Some of them believe that their achievements are such that they should be getting more than the Indian player, who gets millions through the ITL," Gavaskar wrote in his column for Mid-Day.

The legend also pointed out how former cricketers, especially those from Pakistan, make it their agenda to paint Indian cricketers in low light to gain social media attraction. "What the following for the game also does is to make the media, especially the online media, look to get more eyeballs or followers and so anything to do with cricket and especially about Indian players gets into the public domain even if it actually belittles them. That's the sad part especially when the views of those across the border get online in the Indian media. It's almost a daily thing to hear some former player from across the border pulling down an Indian player and saying the Pakistani player is better."

"What these guys know is that they will immediately get a response from the Indian fans who will defend their favourite player and in doing so, increasing the followers of the former player from across the border. It's a trick that is used by them knowing that to increase their followers all that they have to do is say uncomplimentary stuff about Indian players, past or present," he added.

No Indian player has said anything about other players: Gavaskar

While making such bold statements, Gavaskar also said that no Indian he knew had said anything about players from across the border saying, "It's not our style". "Have you ever heard or read any Indian player past or present saying anything about the players from across the border? Frankly, nobody cares, so no Indian that I know has said anything about the players from across the border. It's simply not our style. If our online media ignores what is said across the border then it will automatically stop, but our media will publish it even if it is pulling a fellow Indian down."

The 16th edition of the Indian T20 League is set to begin next month with defending champions Gujarat franchise taking on four-time champions Chennai franchise in the Curtain raiser. Gavaskar's remarks came during the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia. India currently leads the series 2-0 and retains the coveted trophy after their commendable victory in both the first and second Tests.