'Popcorn stuff': Cricket greats in 'hostile' on-air clash over bully claim
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.
“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.
@bhogleharsha you beauty! Managed the scene well. The situation was a bit getting heated-up when Sunil Gavaskar was questioning Naseer Hussain about which generation was bullied. What does Harsha do? Politely allow @nassercricket to go for the toss 😊
— Madhavan (@madhavanva) August 25, 2021
Gavaskar has laid into Nasser Hussain over his "Indian team's of previous generations were bullied" remark. Hostile few minutes! #ENGvIND
— Arani Basu (@AraniBasuTOI) August 25, 2021
Sunil Gavaskar has been offended by Nasser's article that said this Indian side won't be bullied like the previous ones. He has just explained all of his sides Test records and said please clarify what he meant. Some popcorn stuff at the moment 🍿
— Prashanth S (@ps_it_is) August 25, 2021
Nasser Hussain has rattled Sunil Gavaskar with an article where he praised Kohli and his team lmao 😭😭
— Akshay (@hankyy_pankyy) August 25, 2021
Sunil Gavaskar seems upset with Nasser Hussain about Nasser's comment about previous generation being bullied
— Cricket baba (@Cricketbaba5) August 25, 2021
Sunil Gavaskar and Nasser Hussain in war of words. #ENGvIND
— Sandeep (@sandeep_Vishu) August 25, 2021
Gavaskar- Nasser Hussain at loggerheads today when Nasser Hussain said the previous generation were bullied.#ENGvIND
— Ajay Srinivasan (@Ajaychairman) August 25, 2021
It’s heating up between Nasser Hussain and Gavaskar on air 🍿
— bull king 🦍 🐺 (@DalAndDeadlift) August 25, 2021
Not really. If Hussain says that this team will not be bullied like previous generations then being part of the previous generation, Gavaskar has every right to ask why.
— Dheer Doshi (@dheerrdoshi) August 25, 2021
Sunil Gavaskar calling out Nasser Hussain for saying previous 🇮🇳 teams were bullied by 🏴was hilarious to see on the pre-show. Love to see Sunny G get all possessive about his generation & team. Nass had to chicken out of the conversation, loved it. #ENGvIND #3rdTest #Headingley
— Aneesh Kulkarni (@AneeshKulkarn11) August 25, 2021
Sunil Gavaskar just schooled Nasir Hussain on Live TV 🤣🤣🤣 @SonySix
"Which generation was bullied"
😉😉 This test series is more hostile outside the ground compare to what goes on in the ground.
So England is been roasted even bf the 1st ball is bowled.@BCCI @ECB_cricket— नरेन्द्र नेगी (@narendernegi11) August 25, 2021
That was so unnecessary from Gavaskar, glad that Nasser Hussain reacted the way he did. https://t.co/9xjgnB92Tr
— Omkar Mankame (@Oam_16) August 25, 2021
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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