TORONTO: Batting legend Sunil Gavaskar on Wednesday dispelled the notion that he was against the resumption of India-Pakistan cricket series and said he had some reservations about Pakistan team’s short tour mainly because of its timing and home players’ pre-occupation.
“My reaction to the proposed Pakistan team’s tour to India was not reported in its correct perspective. No doubt I had some reservations but only emotional part of my feelings was played up in the media,” said the former Indian captain while addressing a press conference here.
Gavaskar, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest opening batsmen of all time, is currently on a visit to North America on the invitation of MoneyGram which has appointed him as its ambassador to promote cricket.
The veteran cricketer did not go into the details of his emotional feelings but he was obviously referring to Mumbai terror attacks probe. Last month, Gavaskar was quoted by Indian TV network, NDTV as saying, “I feel Pakistan was not cooperating in the Mumbai terror attacks probe. Being a Mumbaikar I feel what is the urgency of the tour when there is no co-operation from the other side.”
During his Toronto press conference he said Indians would be playing a lot of cricket in winter this year and players would not get breathing time. “My first reaction was that the time the players have between the England series, it is not going to be there.
They are playing England in November-December but now they are not going to get the breather because of Pakistan tour.”
The Board of Control for Cricket in India recently decided to resume cricket ties by inviting Pakistan team for a short series between Dec 26 and Jan 10. The two teams are likely to play three ODIs and two T20 games.
After his four-day stay in Canada, the Indian Little Master will leave for Dallas on Thursday. Later he will be visiting New York and New Jersey from Aug 12 to 14.