"Go Back To Club Cricket"- Sunil Gavaskar Slams South Africa After Horror Show vs India In 1st ODI

Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar criticized South African cricketers for their irresponsible batting approach during the first ODI against India. Sunil Gavaskar pointed out that current players have various options, like franchise leagues throughout the year.

South Africa were bowled out for a mere 116 runs in the first ODI in Johannesburg on Sunday, December 17. The Proteas registered their lowest ODI total at home. Notably, they were dismissed for 95 in the third and final T20I at the same venue three days earlier.

We Didn’t Have Too Many Options – Sunil Gavaskar

In a conversation with Star Sports, Sunil Gavaskar highlighted the contrasting circumstances of modern-day cricketers compared to his era, emphasizing that failure in his time meant returning to club cricket with little financial incentive.

“Back in my day, we didn’t have too many options. If we failed, we had to go back to club cricket. And there was no money in club cricket back then. Today, players have options. You play for your country, you play T20 leagues… you still can put the food on the table. And therefore there is this tendency to go bang-bang (with the bat)! (There is a tendency) If they don’t score runs, if they don’t take wickets, if they get dropped, so what?” said Sunil Gavaskar.

“They will still have some T20 contract somewhere, if not with the IPL, then some league or the other. That makes players take a lot less responsibility. They try to take the easy way out, which is to go ‘bang-bang’. If they succeed, great. If they don’t, the team is 116 all out. So what? There will be another match two days later,” he added.

India Register 8 Wicket Victory In Series Opener In Johannesburg

South Africa struggled against the Indian new ball attack in the series opener, losing seven wickets for 58 runs. All-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo contributed a valuable 33 runs lower down the order, preventing the Proteas team from an embarrassing collapse at home.

Arshdeep Singh and Avesh Khan were instrumental in taking nine of the ten wickets with an impressive display of bowling. Arshdeep picked up five wickets for 37 runs in his 10-over quota. He was named Player of the Match for his maiden five-wicket haul in ODIs.

The Men in Blue chased the target in 16.4 overs, securing a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Sai Sudharsan (55) made a promising start to his ODI career, smashing a half-century in his debut match. Shreyas Iyer scored 52 runs off 45 deliveries before being dismissed.

Skipper KL Rahul will be hoping to clinch a series victory in the second ODI, which is scheduled to be played in Gqeberha on Tuesday, December 19. It’s worth mentioning that Rahul was the captain when India suffered a whitewash in ODIs during their previous tour.

Also read: Not Ruturaj Gaikwad Or Ishan Kishan!! Sunil Gavaskar Names 1 Indian Batsman Who Will Be An All Format Star