NEW DELHI: Dealing with fame and an ever-growing fan following isn't easy, and that's one of the biggest challenges modern-day cricketers face off the field as they struggle to find privacy in their personal lives," revealed former India head coach Ravi Shastri.
"You've seen generations of this - Sachin, MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, and the modern guys as well. I dare say that Shubman Gill is heading down this same path, where their cricket life is their cricket life - we see that. But their life outside of it is so constricted, because what can they do? Where can they get privacy? How do these guys live normal lives?" asked Adam Peacock to Shastri while speaking on the Willow Talk podcast on the LiSTNR Sport channel.
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Shastri said that Indian players enjoy their best time when they are on overseas tours, as even though they may occasionally be hassled, it's nothing compared to what they experience in India.
"They don't. They can't - because they're public property. That's why you see them at their best at times overseas, because they can walk on the streets in Australia. Even there they'll be hassled, but not to the extent of what they go through in India," he added.
Shastri reflected on how even cricketing icons such as Sachin Tendulkar and MS Dhoni had to devise their own ways to stay away from the constant glare of public attention.
"Sachin would drive his cars after midnight just to get out, because during the day, at every traffic light, he'd be stopped. And the same with MS - he'll get on his bike and head out where he wants to go. But it's not easy, especially in this day and age," he said.
"The spotlight on players is much more than in our era because of all the social media. You get your phone straight out, start taking videos or photos - there's no privacy. You're public property, period," he further said.
