Gavaskar's unkind comments

Just after Habibul Bashar won the toss and elected to field in the first ODI against India, there were some 'aggressive' comments floating around from the commentators' box. And surprisingly, the initiator was none other than the great Sunil Gavaskar. Mr. Gavaskar commented that it was the expected decision (for Bashar to field first), as this was the 'only way' Bangladesh could make this match last 70-80 overs. He also added that otherwise the match could well end up in about 40 overs or so as Bangladesh get bowled out inside 26 overs in Test matches.

We are all witness to what Bangladesh have gone through in the past few years. They have disappointed not only the countless fans in the country but the ones outside as well. But where does this type of comments take us to? I am sure that there are millions of other cricket fans in the country who will agree with me that we still haven't performed so badly to face such sort of mindless mockery. I'll provide some facts to make my point clear. The shortest ODI played by Bangladesh had lasted 45.5 overs in total, whereas India's shortest had lasted just an over more (46.5). It is important to add that Bangladesh had batted 30.1 overs of those 45.5 whereas India had batted only 25.5 of their 46.5. It was the sluggish chase of their (India's) opponents that actually made the match longer and 'deprived' India of going ahead Bangladesh in that list. Furthermore, India still occupies both the 7th and the 10th spot on the list of shortest totals in ODI's (54 against Sri Lanka just a few years back & 63 against Australia) whereas Bangladesh is not even in the top 20 of that list. Not so far behind India, are we?

I'd stand beside Dav Whatmore and ask everyone to have a bit more patience. We have suffered a lot along with our players. We have been frustrated to see our players throwing away their wickets, umpires' decisions going against us on countless occasions (we are rarely lucky). We were shocked when teams went to the extent of 'cheating' (Pakistan, Rashid Latif) just to win against us. But above all we have shown the grit to stand beside our team when needed and so let us accompany them for the future as well. We are making progress, the last few ODIs have been close. So let us not lose hope after coming this far.

As for Mr. Gavaskar, I believe he should say sorry.