Cricket World Cup 2015: England are a Nothing Side, Sunil Gavaskar to NDTV
England were knocked out of the Cricket World Cup 2015 after Bangladesh handed them a 15 run defeat at Adelaide. Sunil Gavaskar said that England never deserved a place in the top eight because they are highly overrated.
England were handed a shock exit from the Cricket World Cup 2015 by Bangladesh at Adelaide on Monday. Chasing a target of 276, England crumbled to a 15-run defeat that saw Eoin Morgan's team bow out in a disappointing fashion.(Bangladesh Knock England Out)
Sunil Gavaskar, however, isn't surprised. (Scorecard | Highlights)
Talking exclusively to NDTV, Gavaskar said, "England are an overrated team. They are a nothing side."(India Aim World Cup Record vs Ireland)
The former Indian skipper criticised England heavily and thought that Morgan's team didn't deserve a place in the top eight. He, then, rubbed it into their footballing achievements as well and said that the English football team is also overrated.
"Every time you hear about their football team before a World Cup but they are also very overrated", said Gavaskar.
Gavaskar, though, has a soft corner for English Premier League giants Arsenal but said that Arsene Wenger's team could definitely improve.
The former Indian opener was all praise for Bangladesh. He praised their attitude and said that it was high time that the 'Bangla' tigers stepped up their game. Gavaskar also took a jibe stating that India might have preferred to face this England side rather than an in-form Bangladesh.
Talking about Bangladesh centurion Mahmudullah, Gavaskar maintained that the right-hander batted superbly but thought it was their keeper-batsman, Mushfiqur Rahim, who made the real difference.
"Mushfiqur Rahim has been the man for the occasion for Bangladesh. He has made tremendous progress since his debut and today, helped Mahmudullah while approaching his hundred."
However, it was the Bangladeshi fans who had won over the Indian batting legend.
"Bangladeshi supporters are brilliant. The sub-continental supporters are a class apart. They bring excitement to the game. The Bangladeshi supporters have been waiting for success for a long time and now finally, the team has stepped up", Gavaskar concluded.