Sunil Gavaskar Critiques Media Coverage of Ranji Trophy Performers
Gavaskar's Concerns Over Media Attention
Sunil Gavaskar, the former captain of the Indian cricket team, has expressed strong discontent regarding the media's lack of attention towards standout players in India's premier domestic cricket tournament. He pointed out that athletes such as Ravichandran Smaran, Ayush Doseja, Sanat Sangwan, Sudip Kumar Gharami, Abhinav Tejrana, Siddhesh Lad, Aman Mokhade, Armaan Jaffer, and Kunal Chandela, all of whom have surpassed 700 runs in the Ranji Trophy, rarely receive any recognition in mainstream media. Gavaskar, known for his technical prowess as an opening batsman, emphasized the disparity in media coverage between the Indian Premier League, U19 World Cups, and the Ranji Trophy, which is the national championship deserving of more spotlight.
Highlighting the Selection Dilemma
Sunil Gavaskar Sparks Selection Storm
In his column for Sportstar, Gavaskar questioned, “Where are the stories of players like Ravichandran Smaran, Ayush Doseja, Sanat Sangwan, Sudip Kumar Gharami, Abhinav Tejrana, Siddhesh Lad, Aman Mokhade, Armaan Jaffer, and Kunal Chandela, who have all scored over 700 runs this year?” He provided further evidence to support his argument, revealing the double standards in the cricketing system. He noted that while bowlers Mayank Mishra and Siddharth Desai have taken over 40 wickets this season, they remain relatively unknown, whereas Auqib Nabi has gained attention due to his IPL contract with the Delhi Capitals, despite his impressive 55 wickets in the Ranji Trophy.
The Need for Fair Coverage
Gavaskar continued to criticize the selectors, suggesting that there is a prevailing belief among players and cricket enthusiasts that strong performances in the U19 World Cup or IPL significantly enhance one's chances of being selected for the national team, often overshadowing the hard work put into the Ranji Trophy. He stated, “The Ranji Trophy is the National Championship and should therefore be given prominence.” He lamented that the lack of television exposure for these players compared to their U19 and IPL counterparts results in their efforts being overlooked.
India's World Cup Challenges
India Stagger on the World Cup Stage
Gavaskar also pointed out the media's role in sidelining Ranji Trophy players, questioning whether they would receive adequate coverage during the Ranji Trophy final, especially with India struggling in the World Cup after a significant loss to South Africa. India's T20 World Cup journey faced a setback following a 76-run defeat in their opening Super 8 match, leaving them in a precarious position as they aim to secure a spot in the semi-finals amidst tough competition.