While on commentary duties at the ongoing IPL 2020 in Dubai, on Kohli`s poor form during the match, the former Indian opener made a snide remark involving Anushka that many thought was in poor taste. Gavaskar remarked, “Inhone lockdown me to bas Anushka ki gendon ki practice ki hain”. (Virat Kohli has only trained against Anushka’s balls during the lockdown). Deccan Chronicle today carried one complete page supporting Anushka Sharma and blasting Gavaskar for his remarks. Gavaskar was merely commenting on the video that Anushka had posted where the couple were practising cricket. Responding to all the flak he was drawing, Sunil Gavaskar explained what he meant.
“As you hear from the commentary, Aakash and I were doing commentary for the Hindi channel,” Gavaskar was quoted as saying by multiple outlets. “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.”
“Rohit didn’t strike the ball well in his first match, MSD didn’t strike the ball well, Virat also didn’t strike the ball. Most of the batsmen have because of the lack of practice. That was the point that was being made. Virat also had no practice and the only practice that he had was when we saw them playing in their building compound and Anushka was bowling to him. That’s what I said. That’s the only bowling, I have not used any other word. She was bowling to him, that’s all,” he added.
“Where am I blaming her? Where am I being sexist in this? I am just stating what was seen in the video which was maybe recorded by somebody in the neighbouring buildings and then put up. That’s the only thing I am doing. The point I am trying to make is that there was no practice for anybody, including Virat in the lockdown. I am not being sexist. If somebody has interpreted it, what can I do?” “You know me, I am the one who has always batted for wives going with husbands on tour. I am the one that a normal guy goes to the office for a 9-5 job, when he comes back home, he comes back to his wife. Similarly, cricketers, when they go out for a tour or even when they are playing at home, why can’t they have their wives with them?” “Because after their working hours are over, they have to get back to their wives like every other common man does. So I am not blaming her,” he concluded.
