The legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar expressed his full support for skipper Rohit Sharma's recent comments on the significance of hunger and loyalty in Test cricket. Following India's series win over England, Rohit spoke about the players missing red-ball cricket.
He was quick to emphasise that players lacking the hunger for Test cricket should not be part of the national team. Gavaskar echoed these sentiments, emphasising the importance of loyalty to Indian cricket. Gavaskar highlighted that cricketers owe their fame, money, and recognition to Indian cricket. He asserted that players should show loyalty to the system that has contributed to their success.
"He's right. Look at the players who want to play Test cricket. I've been saying this for years. The players are what they are because of Indian cricket. The stage of life and career they are at is all because of Indian cricket. The money, fame, and recognition that they have got are because of Indian cricket. So you've got to show some loyalty towards Indian cricket," says Gavaskar.
"And if you don't show that for whatever reasons and say, 'I won't play, won't play that' Rohit is right in saying the ones who have the hunger, the ones who are willing to put in the effort, will be given more opportunities going ahead. If this is the attitude of the selectors, then it will be good for Indian cricket. We've seen many players pick and choose; this shouldn't happen," he further added.
What has Rohit Sharma said?
India skipper Rohit Sharma's post-match comments have ignited a significant discussion in the cricket fraternity. He emphasised the toughness of Test cricket and underscored the importance of hunger for success in this format. The skipper made it clear that players lacking the desire and hunger for Test cricket would be easily discernible.
"Test cricket is the toughest format. And if you want success and want to excel in this tough format, then you need that hunger. It is very important. We will give opportunities only to players who have that hunger. Jinko bhookh nahi hai, unko dekh ke hi pata chal jata hai. (You come to know easily the players who don't have that hunger, or players who don't want to stay here and play this format.) We come to know that," Rohit said during the post-match press conference.
It’s worth noting that these comments came in response to some players who willingly avoided the Indian Cricket Board’s demands to participate in domestic cricket. These names include players like Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, Krunal Pandya, Hardik Pandya, Deepak Chahar, and others.
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'The money, fame they have got...' - Sunil Gavaskar slams cricketers for avoiding red ball cricket, echoes Rohit Sharma's comments
The legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar expressed his full support for skipper Rohit Sharma's recent comments on the significance of hunger and loyalty in Test cricket.
Sunil Gavaskar and Rohit Sharma (Source: Twitter)
The legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar expressed his full support for skipper Rohit Sharma's recent comments on the significance of hunger and loyalty in Test cricket. Following India's series win over England, Rohit spoke about the players missing red-ball cricket.
He was quick to emphasise that players lacking the hunger for Test cricket should not be part of the national team. Gavaskar echoed these sentiments, emphasising the importance of loyalty to Indian cricket. Gavaskar highlighted that cricketers owe their fame, money, and recognition to Indian cricket. He asserted that players should show loyalty to the system that has contributed to their success.
"He's right. Look at the players who want to play Test cricket. I've been saying this for years. The players are what they are because of Indian cricket. The stage of life and career they are at is all because of Indian cricket. The money, fame, and recognition that they have got are because of Indian cricket. So you've got to show some loyalty towards Indian cricket," says Gavaskar.
"And if you don't show that for whatever reasons and say, 'I won't play, won't play that' Rohit is right in saying the ones who have the hunger, the ones who are willing to put in the effort, will be given more opportunities going ahead. If this is the attitude of the selectors, then it will be good for Indian cricket. We've seen many players pick and choose; this shouldn't happen," he further added.
What has Rohit Sharma said?
India skipper Rohit Sharma's post-match comments have ignited a significant discussion in the cricket fraternity. He emphasised the toughness of Test cricket and underscored the importance of hunger for success in this format. The skipper made it clear that players lacking the desire and hunger for Test cricket would be easily discernible.
"Test cricket is the toughest format. And if you want success and want to excel in this tough format, then you need that hunger. It is very important. We will give opportunities only to players who have that hunger. Jinko bhookh nahi hai, unko dekh ke hi pata chal jata hai. (You come to know easily the players who don't have that hunger, or players who don't want to stay here and play this format.) We come to know that," Rohit said during the post-match press conference.
It’s worth noting that these comments came in response to some players who willingly avoided the Indian Cricket Board’s demands to participate in domestic cricket. These names include players like Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, Krunal Pandya, Hardik Pandya, Deepak Chahar, and others.