India in England: Let Bat and Ball do the Talking, Says Sunil Gavaskar

The James Anderson-Ravindra Jadeja row, that took place on the second day of the Trent Bridge Test, has promised to spice up the second Test between England and India at Lord's and even threatened to create a rift in relations between the BCCI and ECB, but former India skipper and NDTV expert Sunil Gavaskar said there should be no room for any kind of talking on the field, other than cricket skills.

"What we saw on the field of play is that there was some talking going on between the two players but what happened inside the dressing room or leading up into the dressing room is something that the TV cameras also don't have," Gavaskar told NDTV on Wednesday.

Gavaskar also told NDTV he had seen bowlers trying to work up batsmen in his 125-Test career but it was nothing like what players get up to today and called the situation unfortunate. Former England captain Geoffrey Boycott had earlier, also slammed the growing aggression on the field and called for stern punishment if Anderson was found guilty of the serious charges leveled against him.

Gavaskar, who is now a well-respected commentator, said when circumstances come up, the match referee should also be strong enough to say to both teams that they should only let their bat and ball do the talking, instead of the ungainly behavior on display.

"The point I would like to make is that before the start of every series or before the start of every match, there is a meeting between the match referee and the captains and coaches and I think if over there (in the meetings), the match referee was strong enough to say to both the teams that I just want your bat and ball to do the talking and no other talking (will be allowed), that could make things a lot easier."

Like Boycott, Gavaskar also drew parallels with their playing days and added that youngsters watching the game today, could feel that such acts of aggression against cricketing opponents was "par for the course".

"Honest to God, I have played more than one Test match and a bit of chatting was never a situation. There was maybe the odd occasion when the bowler got a bit carried away but it was nothing like what we see today. That is unfortunate because youngsters watching it on television think it's par for the course," Gavaskar said. (Cook Slams India's Tactics Over Anderson Charge)

The International Cricket Council, which is now investigating Anderson's breach of conduct, had flown in a lawyer on Friday to try and broker peace between the two teams. Once that failed, the world governing body initiated inquiries against the English pacer.

Gavaskar, who was appointed BCCI president (IPL affairs) by the Supreme Court earlier this year, and commands considerable respect from the media and players alike, said no one should be allowed to get away with abusing. (MS Dhoni has no Regrets Over Anderson Charge)

"Honestly what I feel is that a lot of players make excuses "Oh that's (sledging) good for the game". No that is not good for the game, that has never been good for the game and to say that it is part of the game is also totally incorrect. A lot of people have got away (with abusing) but this is not part of the game," said Gavaskar. (India Complaint Threatens to Sour Relations With England)

Anderson faces a ban of two to four Tests if the allegations levelled against him are proved true.