I won't say much about Ajinkya Rahane's captaincy or else people will say I am backing Mumbai boys: Sunil Gavaskar

Former India cricketer and now the commentator Sunil Gavaskar has been in the news multiple times this year for his comments. Earlier, he was involved in a controversy after his statement on Virat Kohli and his wife Anushka Sharma was twisted on social media. Even recently he was criticised after he stated that there are different rules for different players over Virat Kohli getting a paternal leave and T Natarajan not.

Sunil Gavaskar is also accused of speaking highly of Mumbai players most of the times in commentary. He might have come across the criticism regarding the same as he refused to speak on Ajinkya Rahane’s impeccable captaincy in the ongoing Boxing Day Test at the MCG.

After losing the toss, Rahane led the team well and his excellent field settings were praised by many. Even when the partnership was going on, the Indian skipper didn’t deter and stuck to the same fields eventually reaping the rewards. The best field set among them was the one which led to Marnus Labuschagne getting out who was caught by a close-in fielder at backward square leg.

Rahane also introduced Ravi Ashwin after only 10 overs into the innings which many didn’t expect. The off-spinner picked Matthew Wade and Steve Smith’s wickets in no time to leave Australia reeling at 38/3.

Sunil Gavaskar takes a dig at critics

Pointing out at such facets of Ajinkya Rahane’s captaincy, Harsha Bhogle asked Sunil Gavaskar to give his opinion on the same during the show on Sony Sports Network. However, the 71-year-old refused to speak on it as he felt that the people will then take potshots at him for backing a Mumbai player and not others.  “I won’t say much about Rahane’s captaincy because then people will say I am backing Mumbai boys and all kind of things,” Gavaskar said.

As far as Rahane is concerned, he will be extremely happy that his team did well with the ball. The onus is now on the Indian batsmen to bat big in the first innings. After skittling out Australia for 195, the visitors ended the day at 36/1 with Cheteshwar Pujara and Shubman Gill in the middle.