A Joke Blown Out Of Proportion
Linus tackles things head-on. He takes sides in his analysis and it fits excellently with our editorial policy. No 'maybe's' and 'allegedly' for him, only things in black and white.
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By Linus Garg
First publised on 2020-09-26 08:23:23
About the Author
Linus tackles things head-on. He takes sides in his analysis and it fits excellently with our editorial policy. No 'maybe's' and 'allegedly' for him, only things in black and white.
View all posts by this Author
When Virat Kohli failed two times in succession in the ongoing IPL, batting legend Sunil Gavaskar jokingly said that the only bowling Kohli faced before coming to UAE was wife Anushka Sharma's as the country was under lockdown due to the pandemic. He was perhaps referring to the viral picture uploaded by the celebrity couple in which they were playing cricket at their home and Anushka was bowling to the Indian skipper. That picture had captured the attention of many and there were many comments, not all good, at that time also.
Gavaskar is given to joking during commentating. In fact, all commentators do so. But Anushka took the comment on the chin and called his remark "distasteful". She said that she wants to be left alone and it is not correct on part of others to involve her for her husband's performance on the field. While Anushka is within her rights to demand this, she must also recognize that being a high-profile celebrity couple, Virat and she will have to face such 'bouncers' from time to time. Further, one thinks that it was just a harmless and funny aside from Gavaskar and Anushka could have taken it in the same spirit.
It was not intended as a criticism or was not made with an ulterior motive. When people try to put down celebrities in an offensive way, it is their right to protest with all the strength at their command. But cricket commentary has now moved up - it is no longer a boring ball-by-ball account of the match in progress. All commentators are ex-players and they regale the viewers with many anecdotes related to the game or even from current affairs and breaking news. Anushka playing cricket with Kohli during the lockdown was big news at that time. By jokingly referring to it, Gavaskar did not commit a sin. Anushka must update her sense of humour.
