Farokh Engineer, Sunil Gavaskar, Anushka Sharma
Farokh Engineer, Sunil Gavaskar, Anushka Sharma (Credits: File photo)

Former India wicketkeeper Farokh Engineer has weighed in on the recent controversy surrounding his former teammate Sunil Gavaskar and Anushka Sharma, wife of current India skipper Virat Kohli.

Farokh Engineer definitely knows a thing or two about controversy with Anushka as he had himself faced a similar situation last year. The legendary cricketer had raised a number of eyebrows with his comments for Anushka while slamming the current selection panel. He had said that the selectors served tea to Anushka Sharma at the World Cup in England.

As far as Sunil Gavaskar is concerned, the former India skipper found himself in the middle of the controversy for his on-air comment during an IPL clash earlier this week. Not only the fans but the actress slammed the legendary batsman too and also demanded an explanation from him.

Sunil Gavaskar
Sunil Gavaskar. (Credits: Twitter)

Farokh Engineer’s take on the matter:

Speaking over the recent controversy, Farokh Engineer said that Indians lack sense of humour as he defended Gavaskar. He also went on to say that even in his case, his comment was misunderstood and that people took it too far.

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“We, Indians lack a sense of humour. If Sunil had indeed said so about Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli, it must have been in a humorous tone and not in the bad or derogatory taste,” Farokh Engineer said while speaking to Pakistan Observer.

“Knowing Sunil Gavaskar well, I am sure he would have said it jokingly. Even in my case, people took it very seriously with the result that Anushka had to come out with her statement,” he added.

Gavaskar, meanwhile, issued a clarification, saying his comments were misinterpreted and twisted. He clarified that he did not make any personal comment and was just speaking about the viral video of the couple playing cricket during the lockdown.

“As you hear from the commentary, Aakash (Chopra) and I were doing commentary for an Hindi channel. And Aakash was talking abot the fact that there has been very little chance for proper practice for everybody. That has actually shown in the rustiness of some of the players in their first matches,” Gavaskar told India Today.

Virat Kohli, Anushka Sharma, Haircut
Virat Kohli with Anushka Sharma (Credits – Twitter)

“Rohit (Sharma) didn’t strike the ball well in his first match, MSD (MS Dhoni) didn’t strike the ball well, Virat (Kohli) also didn’t strike the ball. Most of the batsmen have because of the lack of practice.

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“That was the point that was being made. Virat also had no practice and the only practice that they had when they were seen them playing in their building compund and Anushka was bowling to him. That’s what I said.

“She was bowling to him, that’s all. Where am I blaming her? Where am I being sexist in this? I am just stating what was seen in the video which was maybe recorded by somebody in the neighbouring buildings and then put up. That’s the only thing I am doing,” he added.

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