'Money is in the bank' - Sunil Gavaskar questions West Indies cricketers' approach in Test cricket; suggests ways to improve situation

Sunil Gavaskar & West Indies Test team (Source: Twitter)

The West Indies cricket team has been going through a rough patch, which was exacerbated when they failed to qualify for the 2023 ODI World Cup. They also had a poor start to the 2023-25 ​​World Test Championship cycle (WTC), losing to India by an innings and 141 runs in the first Test. Legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has expressed his disappointment with the downfall of the Windies and has proposed a solution to address the issue.

The current generation might recognise West Indies as a team of power hitters and specialists in limited-overs cricket, but the Caribbeans were once a strong force in the longer format as well. Gavaskar recalled his playing days alongside Windies legends like Viv Richards, Clive Llyod, Andy Roberts, and others, admiring the legacy they left behind.

"It is where I went for my first tour and I know a lot of people there. I know the kind of legacy those wonderful cricketers left behind. There's a pretty laid-back temperament which is fantastic but when it comes to playing sometimes a laid-back temperament might not get you much results. To Clive Lloyds, Malcolm Marshalls, Viv Richards, Andy Roberts, Michael Holdings, Garners, the wonderful era for West Indies Test cricket, every Test match that they played, was extra income,” the former India opener said during The Indian Express Idea Exchange.

Don't give them central contracts: Sunil Gavaskar 

Gavaskar feels that current West Indies players prefer franchise cricket leagues over international cricket. Questioning their approach, the 74-year-old suggested that players should be paid according to their performance and their central contracts should be cancelled. He further said that the players are not worried about their performance as they have enough money.

“Today the West Indian players, whether it is Test player or T20 player, all the players all over the world are guaranteed by their central contracts, a hundred thousand dollars or whatever. But if you know the West Indian temperament and you have that much in the bank before you score a run or take a wicket, I am not too sure about a lot of them if it actually matters whether they score runs or not. Because the money is in the bank,” Gavaskar explained at the event.

“My suggestion would be to increase the Test match fees but don't give them central contracts. You are paid for your performance. Then probably they will have a different attitude.”