Sunil Gavaskar

🎙️ 1. Concussion‑sub rule under fire

Sunil Gavaskar delivered a scathing critique of the ICC’s concussion substitute rule, labeling it a policy rooted in "incompetence"—suggesting it's simply a like-for-like substitute for players who struggle with short-pitched bowling. He further urged that similar policies be introduced for serious injuries, arguing that teams suffer if a player is lost mid-match and there’s no injury replacement provision. He called for an independent panel—including medical experts—to oversee such matters, separate from existing ICC committees The Times of India+11mint+11Instagram+11Cricket+1The Times of India+1.

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2. Sharpening criticism on India’s leadership

In the aftermath of the drawn 4th Test at Manchester (Jul 23–26, 2025), Gavaskar voiced strong frustration at what he perceived as unclear leadership and lax decision-making by Team India. He emphasized that strategic misjudgments—particularly around declarations and captain/coach roles—were hard to reconcile with professional standards The Times of India+3Sportskeeda+3NDTV Sports+3.

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3. England targeted after massive lead drama

Gavaskar questioned England’s batting decisions, especially their accumulation of a 311‑run first-innings lead before declaring—only for the match to end in a draw. He criticized the “bravado” of batting long and suggested India captain Shubman Gill should publicly ask Ben Stokes: “Why not declare earlier and give bowlers more time to force a result?” The Times of India+2NDTV Sports+2Sportskeeda+2.

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4. Virulence versus decorum in team structure

Gavaskar reiterated that the Indian team should be led by the captain—arguing that selection and tactics must ultimately be in the hands of the on-field leader. He expressed puzzlement over the increasing influence of coaching figures like Gautam Gambhir, saying: “It’s Shubman Gill’s team, not Gautam Gambhir’s.” He conveyed that Indian squads traditionally function without formal coaches, and he found the modern captain-coach dynamic difficult to understand NDTV Sports.

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5. On the Duke ball controversy at Lord’s

Following the Lord’s Test in July 2025, Gavaskar criticized the quality of the Duke ball used, saying that if India had fielded the same inferior ball at home, it would have marred their global reputation. He alleged bias and called for more transparency and fairness from the ECB and match officials Maharashtra Times.

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6. Reflections on historic incident with Pakistan

A recent piece revisited a dramatic moment from Gavaskar’s career when he was stranded on 86 runs because the Pakistan team prematurely left the field. That historical incident, which deprived him of a century, was covered in a reflective article marking July 28, 2025, illustrating enduring Indo‑Pak cricket tensions The Times of India.

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7. Earlier IPL‑related views

Prior in May 2025, Gavaskar criticized an IPL rule introduced by BCCI that allowed teams to retain uncapped players (especially those out of international cricket for years) with up to ₹4 crore before the auction—asserting it was introduced to benefit MS Dhoni and that it threatened opportunities for emerging talent malayalam.samayam.comThe Indian Expressmint. He also called for the removal of Bollywood-style cheerleaders, music and DJs when IPL resumed—out of respect for families affected by India–Pakistan border violence and casualties The Indian Express+1mint+1.

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🔍 Summary

Lately, Gavaskar has adopted a sharply critical tone—focused on match regulations (like concussion substitute rules), team leadership structures, and underlying selection philosophies. He has stood firmly for transparent strategy, captain-led authority, and sportsmanship in cricket administration. Meanwhile, he continues to draw from history to comment on contemporary controversies.