Former Indian opener Sunil Gavaskar has given a clarification on the controversy over his comments on Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma.
The controversy was created after the news went viral that Sunil Gavaskar commented on Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma while on commentary during the Royal Challengers Bangalore's (RCB) run-chase versus KL Rahul-led Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) in match 6 of the ongoing IPL 2020 edition.
During Kohli's batting, Gavaskar opened up on the RCB skipper's rustiness and casually pointed out that the 31-year-old is out of practice, having only played against wife Anushka Sharma's bowling during the COVID-19 lockdown at his Mumbai residence. Nonetheless, the former cricketer's usage of words became the talking point on social media on Friday (September 25). Controversy escalated when Anushka Sharma also strongly reacted to the whole issue.
As a result, the 71-year-old former right-hander once again hit back at his critics in style while on commentary duties during the Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) clash versus the Shreyas Iyer-led Delhi Capitals (DC) on Friday evening.
Gavaskar, who was accompanied by Aakash Chopra during commentary, stated, "I did not make any sexist comment. I said Virat Kohli didn't get time to practice during lockdown. We all saw how Virat Kohli was practicing on his terrace and Anushka was bowling to him. I just said Virat only got chance to practice on Anushka's bowling." He added, "I did not make any sexist comment. I said Virat Kohli didn't get time to practice during lockdown. We all saw how Virat Kohli was practicing on his terrace and Anushka was bowling to him. I just said Virat only got chance to practice on Anushka's bowling."
Here's the video where Gavaskar, urged everyone to watch the video of that match once again and make up their minds rather than falling prey to 'headlines'.
Here is the original clipping of Sunil Gavaskar's comment on Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli during the earlier match which created controversy.