New Delhi: The 2023 edition of the legendary rivalry has so far lived up to its reputation as one of the most dramatic and controversial of the Ashes series. The Ashes has been a fan favorite so far, despite controversy surrounding dismissals, pitch invasions, and the angry England fans yelling cruel taunts at Australian players.
Sunil Gavaskar, a former captain of India, acknowledged the importance of home fans supporting their team but also called attention to a certain double standard that exists in India.
Gavaskar claimed in his mid-day column that while it is "natural" for home fans to support their team, in this case England, he stated that India is always singled out for being particularly hostile to the rival squad.
“It’s only natural that the crowds will support their own team and won’t cheer the opponents, but to suggest that it happens only in India is ridiculous. This is not an Indian phenomena, but happens in every country where home crowds keep silent when a boundary is hit against their bowlers or their batters get out," Gavaskar wrote.
“Nowhere has it been more apparent than at the current Ashes series. What bugs is the condescending way, overseas commentators, when they come to India, keep saying how quiet the Indian crowd at the ground is when an Indian batter gets out or when an Indian bowler is hit for a boundary,” Gavaskar further opened.
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Although English fans have praised Australian victories throughout the series thus far, they naturally and rightfully favor their own team. With the opening match of the ongoing Ashes series on Sunday, the English team finally given its fans cause to celebrate.
The fourth day of the match at Headingley saw England defeat Australia by three wickets after recovering from a rain-shortened Day 3.
Both teams will now go to Manchester with the series still in play and the home team facing another game that must be won in order to reclaim the Ashes .
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