CricketSunil Gavaskar gave a thrashing reply to English commentators for criticizing Indian crowd
The Ashes series 2023 has been full of controversies and a lot of drama, just like the past years when the iconic rivalry was fierce. From the dismissal controversies to the pitch invasion and barbaric chants for the Australian players by the English crowd, the Ashes have so far been a spectator’s delight. Former cricketer Sunil Gavaskar is in favor of domestic supporters cheering for their side, but he pointed out a certain double standard when the commentators during the third Ashes test stated that it is always the Indian crowd that only supports their own team.
Gavaskar defended the Indian crowd
Writing for his Mid-day column, Gavaskar stated that it is very natural for home fans to support their team, as we can see in the Ashes 2023 with English fans supporting their team. But he also pointed out that India is always targeted for being reluctant towards the opposition. He wrote that “It is common that the audience will support their own team instead of cheering for the opposition, but to say that this happens only in India is absurd. This isn’t a fact seen only in India but in every country, where the home crowd stays silent when a boundary goes on their bowlers bowls and when their batsmen are dismissed.
“It is natural for the fans, says Gavaskar
He further wrote, “It has been more evident than in the current Ashes series. What a condescending way foreign commentators, when they come to India, keep saying how silent the Indian crowd is when an Indian batsman gets out or when an Indian bowler is hit for a boundary. England fans have lauded the Australian achievements so far in the series, but their support naturally turns towards the home team, and rightly so. Yesterday, Team England finally gave their supporters a chance to rejoice as they won the third test of the Ashes series after losing the first two.
The Ashes series is still alive
England staged a comeback during a rain-affected third day at Headingley, chasing 251 runs on the fourth day, and finally defeated the Australians by three wickets, keeping the Ashes hopes alive. The fourth test of Ashes 2023 will be played in the old Trafford cricket stadium, which will begin on July 19.
