Shane Warne Faces The Heat For Suggesting Australia ‘Rip The Helmet Off’ Cheteshwar Pujara On Commentary

Former Australian leg-spinner-turned commentator Shane Warne came under criticism on the final day of the ongoing series-decider between India and Australia at the Gabba in Brisbane following his suggestion to the Aussie quicks to ‘rip Cheteshwar Pujara’s helmet off’

On a pitch boasting of cracks on the good length, Australian pacers resorted to bodyline tactics against the Indian batsman especially Cheteshwar Pujara.

The Indian No.3 was peppered with sustained and hostile short-pitch stuff by the likes of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, resulting in him copping a lot of nasty blows on his helmet and fingers.

Despite coping so many blows, Pujara, like a wounded soldier, continued to hold the fort for his team even as the likes of Shubman Gill, Ajinkya Rahane took the attack to the Aussie bowlers on the other end.

It was during his defiance that Shane Warne was heard suggesting the Australian pacers to rip his helmet off.

“I reckon rough Pujara up. He’s in his zone, he’s in his rhythm here. Upset him, try and rip the helmet off. Give him some short stuff.” Shane Warne said on air.

The comment did not go down with listeners who felt that Warne’s suggestion bordered on the lines of insensitivity given what has happened with his compatriot Philip Hughes in the past.

And, the fans took to Twitter to express their displeasure-

Hey @<!---->F<!---->o<!---->x<!---->C<!---->r<!---->i<!---->c<!---->k<!---->e<!---->t . How can you let shane warne talk this rubbish.
Warnie : try to rip the helmet off. p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->V<!---->D<!---->o<!---->X<!---->6<!---->r<!---->o<!---->r<!---->g<!---->l

— Nitish Bassi (@NitishBassi) J<!---->a<!---->n<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->1<!---->9<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

I think Shane Warne thinks he can make things happen on the field by repeating them often enough from the commentary box. p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->F<!---->J<!---->K<!---->P<!---->n<!---->2<!---->o<!---->i<!---->a<!---->6

— Vinayakk (@vinayakkm) J<!---->a<!---->n<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->1<!---->9<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Did Shane Warne seriously just say that Hazlewood should try and rip Pujara’s helmet off? What an insensitive and horrible thing to say! #<!---->A<!---->U<!---->S<!---->v<!---->s<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D

— Ashlee (@_itsashleeee_) J<!---->a<!---->n<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->1<!---->9<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Warne's commentary has always been uninformed and silly, but even by his own standards, it has been ridiculous this series. He wanted someone to rip Pujara's 'helmet off' earlier today. Just not cricket.

— Sairam Krishnan (@_sairamkrishnan) J<!---->a<!---->n<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->1<!---->9<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

What will it take for the likes of Warne and Ponting to understand that they're commentators now and not players? "Unsettle Pujara, rip his helmet off, hit him." Disgusting, not what you want on commentary.

— Ripper (@Ace_Of_Pace) J<!---->a<!---->n<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->1<!---->9<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1