Recent commentary and events have sparked debate about the respect shown to Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar by current star players Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Shubman Gill. While the nature of the alleged disrespect varies, it has triggered strong reactions from former players and fans alike, raising questions about the importance of respecting senior figures in the sport.
One instance involves Gavaskar's reservations about Virat Kohli's strike rate during the last season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). According to reports, Kohli did not take kindly to Gavaskar's criticism. Karsan Ghavri, a former Indian all-rounder, weighed in on the matter, stating that Gavaskar's criticism should be taken positively and not seen as disrespect.
Another instance of perceived disrespect involves Indian captain Rohit Sharma's explanation regarding Shubman Gill's exclusion from the Boxing Day Test against Australia in December 2024. Sharma stated that Gill was not dropped but that the team wanted to include all-rounder Washington Sundar to strengthen the lower middle-order batting. Gavaskar criticized this decision, arguing that it effectively sidelined Gill. Gavaskar asserted that regardless of the language used, leaving Gill out of the team constituted a drop.
Furthermore, Sunil Gavaskar has also expressed his opinion on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's place in the ODI squad for the 2027 World Cup. Gavaskar said that he doesn't see Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli playing the ODI World Cup. He added that if they strike a rich vein of form in the next year or so and keep scoring hundreds, even God can’t drop them.
These instances have led to discussions about the importance of senior players in the team. Suresh Raina believes that Shubman Gill needs players like Virat and Rohit. He stated that Rohit and Virat's experience is very important and it's crucial for the seniors to stay involved with the juniors.
It's important to note that Gavaskar himself has downplayed concerns about the trio's performance in specific matches. For example, he stated that the failure of Gill, Rohit, and Kohli to score big runs against Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2023 was "not a huge concern". He reasoned that such occurrences are part of cricket, and bowlers sometimes perform exceptionally well.
The situation highlights the delicate balance between respecting experience and embracing the future of Indian cricket. While veterans like Gavaskar have earned their place through years of dedication and achievement, younger players like Gill represent the next generation. Finding a way to bridge this gap and foster mutual respect is crucial for the continued success of Indian cricket.
