IPL 2020: Anushka Sharma Responds To Sunil Gavaskar After Controversial Remark At Virat Kohli And Her
Image: Instagram
Commentator and former cricketer, Sunil Gavaskar is being trolled all over the internet because of his controversial remark during the Thursday IPL match of Kohli-led RCB vs. Kings XI Punjab. The comment was aimed at Kohli, and though seems passingly harmless to some people, Twitterati has deemed the remark to be “disgusting” and “misogynistic”.
RCB suffered a whopping 97-run defeat, and this comment came in the shadow of Kohli dropping his contemporary, KL Rahul, twice during the match. The latter (KL Rahul) then went on to score 132 out of 69 balls, setting the record of being the highest-scoring Indian during an IPL match.
All in all, it was quite an eventful day for RCB when a snide comment by Gavaskar caused fans to lash out on Twitter. The commentator referring to Kohli’s mishap on the field remarked that he has seen the lockdown video of Kohli practicing to Anushka’s bowling, and it is not enough to win an IPL match. Gavaskar was alluding to the video posted by Kohli himself, during the government-issued lockdown. In the video we see, husband and wife (Kohli-Anushka) enjoying a session of cricket.
Though supposedly meant to be a “funny” remark, the internet and media have called out the veteran cricketer for his inappropriate comment. Some fans have even urged the BCCI for the banishment of Gavaskar from the commentary panel.
And they are not alone! Soon-to-be mommy, Anushka Sharma has also taken to social media to communicate her disapproval over Gavaskar’s comment. In a story posted on her official Instagram account, the actress said, “ Mr. Gavaskar, your message is distasteful is a fact but I would love for you to explain why you thought of making such a sweeping statement on a wife accusing her for her husband’s game? I am sure over the years you have respected the private lives of every cricketer while commentating on the game. Don’t you think you should have an equal amount of respect for me and us?”
The actor further remarked, “I’m sure you can have many other words and sentences in your mind to use to comment on my husband’s performance from last night or are your words only relevant if you use my name in the process? It’s 2020 and things still don’t change for me. When will I stop getting dragged into cricket and stop being used to pass sweeping statements?”
Fans all across the country resonate with Anushka’s sentiments. Especially, since this is not the first time the actor has been blamed for the cricketer’s low performance. On a previous occasion, Anushka had taken to social media to dismiss rumors about favoritism and to shame rumormongers who drag the actor’s name into “baseless things involving Indian cricket”. The actor mentioned in the post that she has been quiet for far too long as the rumor mill has generated these unsubstantiated stories about the famous couple. Since Sunil Gavaskar’s comment, the aforementioned post, famously known as Anushka Sharma’s “I drink coffee” response has re-surfaced on the internet.
Fans seem to be agreeing with Anushka that the veteran cricketer did push the envelope a bit too far in an attempt to be funny. It was inappropriate to bring one’s family into the commentary of a cricketer’s game. Shockingly (not), this never happened to cricketers who don’t have a celebrity as a wife. Making many critics question, if Gavaskar dragged Anushka into the commentary to gain more attention or publicity.
The real answer, of course, lies with Mr. Gavaskar and may not be revealed to the concerned public for a long time to come. However, it is brave of Anushka Sharma to call out inappropriate and unprofessional behavior like this. Anushka’s prompt response slamming the commentator will serve as a precedent not only to Mr. Gavaskar but to other commentators as well, reminding them to conduct themselves respectfully and professionally.
Since becoming public with their relationship, “Virushka” has faced quite a few media storms together, and we know they will glide through this too. Meanwhile, focusing on the positive side, as the couple waits for the third member of their family to arrive, we wish them all the happiness in the world. It is a cherished phase in their life, and it is understandable why they wouldn’t want this kind of negativity around their unborn child.
Mama Bear Anushka is completely justified in being defensive about the negative way her name was dragged into the commentary of Thursday’s IPL match. Regardless of you reading this as a fan of Bollywood or cricket, what do you think about Anushka slamming Gavaskar for his inappropriate comment? Do you think people are overreacting or is this a reasonable reaction to systemic patriarchy? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.
