India Should Get Over Jadeja-Anderson Episode and Focus on Beating England: Sunil Gavaskar
While he is completely against verbal and physical spats on the cricket field, Sunil Gavaskar tells NDTV that the entire controversy surrounding Ravindra Jadeja and James Anderson should be put to rest. India, feels Gavaskar, should now focus on winning the fourth Test at Old Trafford versus England.
India's tour to England has been marred by the alleged Ravindra Jadeja and James Anderson spat after the Lord's Test. While International Cricket Council has hit for a six India's request to appeal against the judicial commissioner's decision to exonerate Anderson, former cricketer Sunil Gavaskar too feels it is time cricket on the field took prominence. (Fourth Test: Selection headaches for Dhoni ahead of Manchester Test)
Speaking to NDTV on Wednesday, the former India Test captain said that both teams should focus on the fourth Test which starts in Manchester from Thursday. "You know my stand on verbals on the field -- I have always been against it. I have always believed that it should be the bat or the ball that does the talking," he said. "I believe that the matter now should rest at what has happened. I don't think we should go on with it." (Also read: Engineer slams David Boon, ICC for mishandling Jadeja-Anderson spat)
Having a new referee in Ranjan Madugalle would also soothe flaring tempers, felt Gavaskar. "I believe there is new match referee for these last two Test matches and Ranjan Madugalle can do the whole game of cricket a big service and tell the players that from this game onwards he does not want to hear any verbals whatsoever on the field from anybody."
While Anderson and Jadeja were found 'not guilty' of breaching ICC's code of conduct, Gavaskar warned that the clean chit should not motivate players to indulge in further tiffs. "The verdict should not give Jimmy Anderson or any other player including Indian players the belief that they can get away with it. But let's put what has happened in the past and let's look at the future."
With India gearing up to seek revenge for the Southampton loss, Gavaskar said that the side can put the entire debacle behind them just as Anderson did to help his side win after the defeat at Lord's. "Jimmy Anderson put it behind him although he was due for a hearing the day after the Test match finished at Southampton. Similarly, I think the Indians will put it behind them. That is what good players and great players do all the time."