Sunil Gavaskar's Warning To India Women Cricketers After World Cup Triumph: 'These Shameless...'

Sunil Gavaskar has cautioned Indian women cricketers about false promises from advertisers and brands.

The Indian women cricketers are basking in the glory of their maiden ODI World Cup triumph. Ever since the Harmanpreet Kaur-led outfit lifted the silverware in Navi Mumbai earlier this month, plenty of rewards have been announced for the world cuppers to honour their contributions.

When not giving interviews detailing their journeys, the cricketers are busy attending felicitation ceremonies. Batting legend Sunil Gavaskar, himself part of India’s historic 1983 World Cup triumph, has warned the players not to expect every promise made to them in the wake of their victory to materialise.

“…just a word of caution to the girls. Please don’t get disappointed if some of the promised awards don’t come to you," Gavaskar wrote in his column for the mid-day. “In India, advertisers and brands and individuals are quick to jump on the bandwagon and try and get free publicity for themselves on the shoulders of the winners."

“Have a look at the full-page advertising and hoardings congratulating the team. Unless they are team and individual players’ sponsors, the rest are only trying to promote their brands or themselves and giving nothing to the ones who have brought glory to Indian cricket," he added.

Gavaskar Dips Into His 1983 Experience

The 1983 World Cup is considered a watershed moment in Indian cricket history as it paved the way for the rise of the game in the country. Gavaskar recalls how their victory in England was followed by wide coverage in India and plenty of promises which “never materialised".

An irked Gavaskar branded the opportunists as “shameless ones".

“The 1983 team also were made many promises with loads of coverage in the media then. Almost all never materialised. The media can’t be blamed as they were happy to carry the lofty announcements, not realising that they also were being used by these shameless people. So girls, don’t fret if these shameless ones are using your win to promote themselves," he wrote.

“The 1983 guys will tell you that so many decades down the line, the love and affection of the simple Indian cricket lover is our greatest wealth and so it will be yours too, when you also put your feet up. Heartiest congratulations once again. The nation is proud of you. Jai Hind," he concluded.

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