Kolkata: Sunil Gavaskar is undoubtedly one of the greatest ever cricketers to have played the game from India. During his playing, he let his bat do all the talking and even after he called it a day on his illustrious career, he has served Indian cricket in various other roles.
Last week, noted historian Ramachandra Guha resigned from his post as a member of the Supreme Court appointed Committee of Administrators and in a letter to the chairman of the committee Vinod Rai, he had lambasted several stalwart figures in Indian cricket, one of which was Gavaskar himself.
He had stated that the former iconic batsman was involved in a ‘conflict of interest’ referring to his dual role as a commentator as well as him heading a player management company.
This, quite expectedly left the ‘Little Master’ furious and disappointed at the same time as his integrity was being questioned here. “I’m very, very disappointed if anyone is doubting my integrity. I do not have a conflict of interest. It’s baffling to find my integrity has been questioned. Show me one instance where I have tried to influence the selection committee” he said in an interaction with NDTV.
He further added, “Indian cricket has done more for me than I have done for it. It’s very disappointed that they are doubting my integrity and contribution to Indian cricket,”
Gavaskar, in the past had been the president of the BCCI for two months. He had also been a cricket administrator besides his current role as a noted TV commentator.
He explains that he was left all confused by Guha’s remarks and elaborates the various roles he has been playing for Indian cricket over the years. “I am absolutely confused as to where the conflict arises. What disappoints me really is that I have been with whatever ability I have, trying to serve the Indian cricket in my own way as a player, then as an administrator for a little time with the cricket committee, the technical committee and I was there for two months as the BCCI president” said the 67-year old.
However that’s not all. Guha in his letter had also questioned as to why former skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni is still given a Grade A contract despite him having retired from Test cricket three years ago.
Gavaskar came out in support of the Indian star saying, “MS Dhoni got Grade ‘A’ contract because he is a superb player. How can you question Dhoni’s contribution to Indian cricket? If there is a superstar culture, then there is also a jealousy culture.”
He went on to describe this, ‘jealousy culture’ concept, keeping in mind Guha’s, reference to the ‘superstar culture’ prevalent in Indian cricket.
“Jealousy culture at people who have done something for Indian cricket, continue to do something for Indian cricket that they should not be allowed to do something for Indian cricket and those who have not done anything for Indian cricket, who have got a peripheral connection with Indian cricket should be allowed to do something” he said.