NEW DELHI: BCCI selection committee chairman Ajit Agarkar faced severe backlash from both Indian and foreign cricketers over the exclusion of Shreyas Iyer from the Asia Cup squad. Legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar, however, criticised the overseas players' criticism, saying that those with less knowledge of the matter should not jump into the debate.
"What is baffling is foreigners who have zero stake in Indian cricket, and much less knowledge about it, wading into the debate and adding fuel to the fire. However great they may be as players and however many times they may have been to India, the selection of the Indian team is strictly none of their business," Gavaskar wrote in his column for The Sportstar.
Gavaskar pointed out the double standard: these foreign ex-players rarely comment on their own national teams' selections, so it's unfair and unnecessary for them to comment on India. He emphasises that Indians handle their cricket independently and outsiders should "mind their own business."
"They should focus on their country's cricket and let us Indians worry about our cricket. Amazingly, when their country's teams are selected, there's hardly anything, if ever, heard from them about the selection. It's almost as if the selection is perfect and they have no comments to make. So, why butt your nose into the selection of the Indian team? Have you ever heard Indian ex-cricketers talk about the selection of other countries' teams? No, we mind our own business, and seriously couldn't be bothered by who they choose or who they don't select."
Gavaskar also slammed overseas cricketers for using negative comments on Indian cricket to grab attention and boost their followers.
"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. 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."
"To an extent, 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? It's almost as if validation about Indian cricket and its cricketers has to be obtained from overseas players."
