Where am I blaming Anushka and being sexist, asks Sunil Gavaskar

Virat Kohli failed to have any sort of impact against Kings XI Punjab despite the side being heavily dependent on him to make amends after the loss of first two wickets. The subsequent batting failure of the side resulted in RCB losing the game by a colossal margin of 97 runs but the controversy aroused from the fact that Gavaskar made a statement regarding Anushka Sharma on air - which seemed harmless - but the social media didn’t take it kindly to him.

“That was the point that was being made. Virat also had no practice and the only practice that they had was when they were seen playing in their building compound and Anushka was bowling to him. That’s what I said. That’s the only bowling, I have not used any other word. She was bowling to him, that’s all. Where am I blaming her? Where am I being sexist in this? I am just stating what was seen in the video which was maybe recorded by somebody in the neighbouring buildings and then put up. That’s the only thing I am doing.”

“The point I am trying to make is that there was no practice for anybody, including Virat in the lockdown. I am not being sexist. If somebody has interpreted it, what can I do?” he said.

“I would like to say it again. Where am I blaming her? I am not blaming her. I am only saying that the video said that she was bowling to Virat. Virat has played only that bowling during the lockdown period. It’s a tennis ball, a fun game that people have to pass time during the lockdown. That’s all. Where am I blaming her for Virat’s failures?”