Legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has called out a website for publishing a fake article under his name during the ongoing India vs Australia Test match in Perth. The website, named Cricket Ception, posted a column titled “A New Era in Leadership: Bumrah’s Captaincy and Kohli’s Leadership Revive Team India” falsely attributing it to Gavaskar.
Taking to Instagram on Saturday, November 23, the second day of the opening Test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Gavaskar categorically denied writing any such article. The former India captain wrote, “Never believe everything you see on the internet,” as he slammed the website for misinformation. Currently contracted with Star Sports, the official broadcaster for the series, Gavaskar clarified that he had no involvement with the publication.
Gavaskar advocates Bumrah’s captaincy
This controversy comes shortly after Gavaskar publicly endorsed Jasprit Bumrah as India’s full-time captain for the entire series if regular skipper Rohit Sharma missed the first two matches. Speaking on Sports Tak before the series began, Gavaskar said:
“It is important for the captain to play the first Test match. If he is unavailable, then the vice-captain will be under tremendous pressure. If Rohit Sharma misses the first two Tests, I believe Jasprit Bumrah should lead the team for the entire Australia tour and Rohit should participate purely as a player.”
Legal action on the horizon
Gavaskar has reportedly considered legal action against the website for using his name without authorization. The cricket legend is known for his forthright views and integrity and has been vocal about misinformation in sports media. This incident highlights the growing issue of fake news and misrepresentation in the digital age.
The broader context: Bumrah’s captaincy
India’s decision to appoint Jasprit Bumrah as captain for the ongoing series has drawn widespread praise. On Day 1, Bumrah’s stellar five-wicket haul dismantled Australia’s batting lineup for a mere 104 runs, setting the tone for India’s dominance. His leadership on the field has been lauded as calm, strategic, and inspiring, further solidifying Gavaskar’s prior endorsement of his captaincy credentials.
As the Border-Gavaskar Trophy continues, this controversy serves as a stark reminder of the responsibility of media platforms to uphold journalistic integrity, especially when covering influential figures in the sport.