Amid the controversy over Team Director Ravi Shastri’s alleged verbal duel with the Wankhede curator, former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar said there is bound to be frustration when a home team does not get the desired pitch, but there should be control over what one speaks.
The host lost the fifth ODI by 214 runs to lose the series 2-3 on Sunday. But, the spotlight soon turned towards the ‘pitch battle’ between Shastri and Sudhir Naik. It has been reported that Shastri abused Naik after passing a sarcastic comment on the nature of the track once the visitors piled up a mammoth 438 for four batting first. Gavaskar, though, refused to take sides.
“What’s wrong in the pitches suiting home teams? When you do not get pitches to your liking, there is bound to be frustration and sarcastic remarks may fly. But, you should have control over your language. When there is disappointment there are words spoken that you regret later. While Ravi has denied using abusive language, Sudhir said he [Ravi] did; so it’s one person’s version versus the other,” said Gavaskar.
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“It should also be found out what did the Mumbai Cricket Association told the curator. The team management can tell the state board how it wants the pitch and this is conveyed to the curator. That’s how it works,” he added.