World Cup 2019 | BCCI’s never interferes with commentary, asserts Sunil Gavaskar
Sunil Gavaskar has cast away rumours about the BCCI censoring commentators’ honest opinions regarding team selections, umpiring blunders or BCCI’s stand on certain issues. The topic had resurfaced after the ICC asked Michael Holding to go easy on umpiring blunders at the World Cup.
For several years, whispers have gone around claiming that the BCCI asks its commentators to tailor their words to meet the governing body’s wishes. In a recent interview with the Times of India, Gavaskar clarified that neither he nor Ravi Shastri ever received any emails of that sort from the BCCI.
"First and foremost, let me clarify that the BCCI has never sent any instructions to me or Ravi Shastri about what to say or not to say. If the others got any, we've no idea. Ravi and me were contracted to the BCCI on an annual basis," Gavaskar said.
Referring to the incident involving Michael Holding, Gavaskar was in complete support. He emphasized that it was their job (as commentators) to pass comments on what they see.
“I don't know what Michael actually said. But, I don't think that commentators should be told not to criticize the umpires or not say things that the rights holders feel will damage their relations with someone," he added.
During the Australia-West Indies encounter at the on-going World Cup, the former West Indian lashed out at the umpiring blunders on display. Including a huge no-ball bowled by Australia’s Mitchell Starc, of which Chris Gayle was given out, there were at least four other wrong decisions, that all went against the Windies. However, the ICC asked Holding to go easy on the umpires.
Gavaskar also noted that not every commentator is blessed with the language of the great Richie Benaud, who stated his frank opinions using language that doesn’t offend other people.
“He could say things which were hard-hitting, but maybe with a glove, while some of us commentators do it bare knuckled! And that's why it probably hurts. The intention is not to hurt. It's just that I don't have the vocabulary that Benaud had," he explained.
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