Only Those Who Don't Benefit from IPL Criticise it,’ Says Sunil Gavaskar
Image : Collected
|| Desk Report ||
Former batting great turned successful commentator Sunil Gavaskar lashed out at the critics of the Indian Premier League, citing that only the jealous people who don't benefit from the tournament - criticise the league.
While speaking to India Today on the latest episode of Inspiration, Sunil Gavaskar said that critics only see the monetary benefit involved in the cash-rich league and don’t talk about the positive sides as well.
"They (critics) only see the money aspect that is there in the IPL. They don’t look at what the IPL does. I think it all boils down to jealousy. Only those who do not benefit from it, do not get anything from the IPL criticise it,” he said.
"There are so many people whose livelihoods are there because of the IPL. It can be the guys who are at the grounds who paint people’s faces, people who are making those shirts that are sold outside the stadiums just before a match, or the vendors who have food stalls at the stadium. There is an entire cottage industry around the IPL,” he further added.
Sunil Gavaskar further said that IPL is a 'soft target' when someone wants to be famous. The 13th edition of IPL 2020 was earlier scheduled to take place in March but it was postponed owing to the COVID-19 pandemic and now it is all set to start on September 19 in the United Arab Emirates, with the tournament being moved out of India keeping the rise of COVID-19 cases in mind.
"An argument people opposed to the IPL give is, we know Indian cricket and we are thinking of the good of Indian cricket. Oh, I see, so you are the only ones who are going to be sitting in judgement and telling us what is good for Indian cricket. Of course, not," the batting legend concluded.
