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'7-yr-old Ponting' didn't know what happened: Gavaskar

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Agencies Posted: Nov 20, 2008 at 1434 hrs IST
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New Delhi, November 20:: Sunil Gavaskar on Thursday hit back at Ricky Ponting for his 'uncalled for' remarks that the former India captain was no angel in his hey-days, saying the Australian skipper's comments were an indication that his side was 'rattled' to find a challenger in India.

"I think it was totally uncalled for and it is showing the world that they are rattled," Gavaskar told a television news channel.

The former Indian captain said Ponting's comments also smelled of publicity gimmick.

"I think they have been a champion side and suddenly they find that they have a challenger in India. And therefore, it's not just Ponting but all the other statements that we have heard from other Australians," he said.

"...Probably (they are) trying to sell their books or whatever it is," he added.

Ponting, in his just-published 'Captain's Diary 2008', has lashed out at Gavaskar and other former players for often blaming the Australian team for on-field confrontations.

"Unfortunately, as soon as a spectator or a commentator spots one of my team chipping on opponent, they assume it is a pre-meditated attack. The most laughable aspect is when I hear former players complaining, as though they never put a toe out of line in their day.

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"I still have a vivid image of Sunil Gavaskar angrily trying to take his opening partner off the MCG with him in 1981 when he was given out lbw in a Test match, but to hear him today you'd think he was positively angelic when he was the best opening batsman in the world," he wrote.

Gavaskar pointed out that Ponting would not have a clear understanding of the incident as he was just a child then.

"Ponting was just seven-year-old when MCG incident happened. He does not know the background," he said.

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View all Messages [ 15 ]
Cricket by Dhanesh on 2008-11-22 15:26:06.037396+05:30
He knows better than Gavasker
The Mighty O/Z BITCH by Mark on 2008-11-21 18:40:18.92769+05:30
you guys dont know what the hell ya talkin bout. how bout ya learn some english before ya start ya dribble ya ponce bread slakers.
PONTING'S COMMENTS by V KRISHNA KUMAR on 2008-11-21 08:47:03.352497+05:30
Former skipper Ponting's comments on Gavaskar is unwarranted. As rightly pointed out by Sunny, he (Ponting) was a child of 7 yrs to know full details of the incident. That too Australian's comments at the time when they have been lashed out their mettle. Ofcourse at the time of distress only such shallow comments come out.Not only for this matter any present dayers commenting about former legends is very painful.
Sportsman spirit by Sam on 2008-11-20 23:31:38.720721+05:30
Who said India have sportsman spirit.Well i feel what Hayden and ponting said is true. It is only in India That a situation has occurred that we had to abandon a cricket match just because we were on the losing side in 1996 world cup semi against Lanka. Such a thing has never happened in Australia, NewZeland or England.Such things happen only in countries like West indies and India.It is also definitly true that Harbajan actually called Symonds Monkey. It was clearly heard in the tv when game was going on
Please ignore by Vijay Hurkute on 2008-11-20 23:17:48.451697+05:30
Dear Mr. Gavaskar,and rest of Indians, please ignore. Aussies have lost their mental balance.
Ponting on Gavaskar by Amit Bhattacharjie on 2008-11-20 20:13:29.111438+05:30
Ponting is a real PUNTER. Only this time he is punting for his book, its notorious popularity and his own evergreen cry-baby image. He may be able to carve a cunning look-over attitude from CA, but in doing all this he may have to forfeit BCCI's handshake and IPL. Sounds more like a foul-gasbag, isn't it?
Truth by Anand on 2008-11-20 20:07:10.235989+05:30
Whilst Australia are bad losers and exhibit poor sportsmanship, Sunil Gavaskar as Ponting has correctly pointed out is no angel. There is something that is terribly wrong in his commentary these days. His views as a commentator appears to be totally one-sided and very annoying. It makes you feel that he is speaking as if he is the spokesperson of the Indian cricket team and not as a commentator. I am tired of hearing about Australia criticising India and India retaliating. I think its high time the board intervenes and puts and end to this nonsense that is happening. For sure, Gavaskar needs to be more balanced in his approach though. He certainly isnt a saint.
Sunny days by John David on 2008-11-20 19:06:14.45143+05:30
Sunny never waited for the umpire to signal him out. He is known for walking out as soon as he knew he is out. This was the unique attitude and a great sportsmanship of Sunny to which had placed him among the best cricketers. In a way Sunny taught the game ethics to the cricket world the way he played the game. As Akram said the bad-mouthing of Aussies hangers on and describes the sour grapes. Sunny can sue Ponting on such a baseless comment.
ponting by milind kulkarni on 2008-11-20 18:40:30.92048+05:30
ponting is mad to say such foolish statement on Indian legend Sunny.Australians are frustrated due defeat , now they should get habitual to such defeats by India,
Ponting's silly remark by S.A. Krishnan on 2008-11-20 17:19:31.785934+05:30
By commenting on Gavaskar incident, Ponting has shot himself in the mouth. We all know that Gavaskar was angry at the unfair decision he was given by Australian Umpire (maybe the Australians knew no other way to get him out) but what really insensed him was the foul personal remarks that the fielders made - gavaskar called it "typically Australian".. It was this that made Gavaskar walk out. As for Ponting, in comparison to him, not only Gavaskar but most Indian cricketers are angels.
Not a good comment from Ponting by Varghese Joseph on 2008-11-20 16:17:26.970213+05:30
Its rubbish and more childish that these comments made by Ponting. What happened in 1981 was an lbw decision, and what Gavaskar said was true and was accepted by the whole cricketing nations. Then, why Ponting has come for an argument now? Hence dear Ponting, put your heads down, correct your guys attitude on the field, my dear boys ok.
Nobody's Saint by Surendra Cholkar on 2008-11-20 15:58:28.081401+05:30
Sunny has received his share of criticism for his acts, just as Ricky's getting now. Umpires were always making mistakes
Ponting by sanjay on 2008-11-20 15:56:51.546628+05:30
Australian team was royaly thrashed in the recent test series in India.They are at the bottom and that proved today when they were thrashed by New Zeland. Recent australian team is like a primary school team.They will have to go to the basics but i think by that time their days will be numbered. It will take another decade or more for Australian to become No 1 winning team.Ponting is nose diving and about to hit the ground with a bang which will destroy the entire team.Ausralian cricketers should be banned from playing in ICL and IPL.
        
Banning
by sudir on 2008-11-20 16:14:18.885032+05:30
Yes,to be banned till they apologise.
        
Ponting
by Goga on 2008-11-20 16:13:25.009276+05:30
U So(M)B [Mean Bitch] lol shud understand that Aussies r still the same force and it is just a matter of time. Wonder some people hv memories as small as their testicles
        
Ponting and Goga
by Edie on 2008-11-20 22:32:45.907377+05:30
SOB Goga, if you have as big a memory as my testicles you will beat Einstien any day. Man Goga you will be a genius.
Jack Ass Ponting by KUMAR on 2008-11-20 14:37:28.33739+05:30
Ricky Ponting is a Jack Ass like all the other members of the Australian cricket team to get cheap publicity these guys talk some rubbish .
7-year-old Ponting on Gavaskar' by Tapan Bose on 2008-11-20 14:29:41.857932+05:30
Australians are BAD LOSERS!! When Australia lost the "Ashes" test to England in 2005, Brett Lee started crying like a baby!! One would think that he( Lee) had suffered some kind of tragedy!! I'm NOT making this up as video of that series will prove my statement!
View all Messages [ 15 ]
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