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'Popcorn stuff': Cricket greats in 'hostile' on-air clash over bully claim

Naser Hussain (pictured right) during commentary and Sunil Gavaskar (pictured left) at a media conference.
Naser Hussain (pictured right) and Sunil Gavaskar (pictured left) entered into a war-of-words during commentary at the Third Test between England and India. (Getty Images)

Cricket greats Sunil Gavaskar and Nasser Hussain have entered into a heated war-of-words in commentary during the Third Test between England and India and fans couldn't get enough of the clash.

On the first day of the Third Test, a ruthless England side led by Jimmy Anderson skittled India for one of their lowest totals in Test cricket history of 78.

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England then responded with 120 for no loss to completely dominate the opening three sessions of the third Test.

But, tempers were already flaring in the commentary box before a ball was bowled.

In his Daily Mail column, Hussain said this India team wasn't able to be 'bullied', unlike perhaps India teams of the past.

“You said this India will not be bullied as perhaps the previous generations would be,” Gavaskar said during commentary, referencing Hussain's column.

“Belonging to previous generation, could you perhaps enlighten which generation? And what is the exact meaning of bully?”

Hussain reiterated his thoughts on the current India team.

“I just think, the Indian side under the aggression of the past, would have said ‘no no no’. But what Kohli has done is to make them go doubly hard.

“I saw a little bit of that in Sourav Ganguly’s side and he started that, Virat is continuing with it.

“Even when Virat was not there, Ajinkya really went hard at the Australians. I just don’t think you want to wake this Indian side up.”

Hussain was referring to India's famous victory in Australia when Kohli went home after a loss in the first Test, only for India to bounce back and win the series.

Fans go wild over Gavaskar and Hussain debate

However, Gavaskar appeared to take Hussain's view personally.

This is considering Gavaskar played in an India team that one two Tours in England.

“But when you say previous generations were bullied, I don’t think so,” he added.

“I’d be very upset if my generation was being talked about as being bullied. If you have a look at the record, in 1971 we won, that was my first tour in England.

“1974, we had internal problems so we lost 3-0. 1979, we lost 1-0, it could have been 1-1 if we chased down 438 at the Oval. 1982 we again lost 1-0.

Nasser Hussain (pictured left) shares a laugh with Sunil Gavaskar (pictured right) during a dinner at Lord's Cricket Ground.
Nasser Hussain (pictured left) interviews Sunil Gavaskar (pictured right) during a dinner at Lord's Cricket Ground. (Getty Images)

“In 1986 we won 2-0, we could have won it 3-0. So, I don’t think my generation we were bullied. I don’t think aggression means you have always got to be at the face of the opposition.

“You can show passion, you can show your commitment towards your team without yelling after each fall of wicket.”

Hussain responded and said he wasn't discrediting the current Indian side, but instead admiring Kohli's leadership.

But, Gavaskar wasn't finished.

“There is no argument in that...The question is saying that the previous generations were bullied. I don’t think this is right.”

The debate was broken up when Harsha Bhogle called for Hussain to go cover the coin toss.

Fans weighed-in on the debate and were divided over who was right.

However, the words of Hussain appeared to backfire after England ran through India on the first day in a horror showing.

Anderson wrecked India's top order with a three-wicket burst before Craig Overton and Sam Curran mowed down the tail to bundle out the tourists inside two sessions.

Haseeb Hameed (60) put on the team's highest opening stand of the summer, an unbroken century partnership with Rory Burns (52), as England had a day they could hardly have dreamed of.

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