'Yes, I have been...': Gavaskar breaks silence on criticism of appearing on Pakistani show during CT 25

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar is facing a lot of criticism for his appearance in a Pakistani TV show during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, with some accusing him of being inconsistent in his views. The reaction came after he spoke against Pakistani players being picked by Indian-owned teams in The Hundred 2026 auction.

Gavaskar on appearing in the Champions Trophy 2025

Gavaskar had earlier appeared on a Pakistan-based cricket show, The Dressing Room, during the Champions Trophy in Dubai. On that show, he was part of a panel that included former Pakistan captains Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis.

After the criticism, Gavaskar clarified that he was not paid for that appearance. He said, “I did not ask nor got paid for the show I did in Dubai”.

He also responded to those questioning his stance by explaining his work with ICC and ACC events. According to him, the revenue from those events is shared among all participating countries and is not linked to any specific Indian entity. He said he does not understand how he is being blamed, as he is not paying any commentators himself.

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Gavaskar, Pakistan players featuring in T20I tournaments

Gavaskar also spoke about Pakistani players playing in other leagues like the Caribbean Premier League and Major League Cricket, where some teams are owned by Indian companies. He suggested that such teams should also avoid signing Pakistani players.

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“I don’t follow the CPL, ILT20, or SA20, so I am not aware who is playing for whom. Yes. If there are Indian owners and they are paying Pakistani players, then hopefully they will stop doing that. I don’t know about other sports and what they are doing. All I am praying for is that Indians stop paying Pakistanis. If you have noticed, the reverse has never happened for decades, if ever.”

Gavaskar on Abrar Ahmed picked by Sunrisers Leeds

Earlier, in a column, Gavaskar had also written about the signing of Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed by Sunrisers Leeds in The Hundred auction. The franchise is owned by Sun TV Network, which also owns Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL.

“The furore created by the acquisition of a Pakistani player by the Indian owner of a franchise in The Hundred is hardly surprising. Ever since the Mumbai attacks in November 2008, Indian franchise owners have simply ignored Pakistani players for the IPL,” Gavaskar had said.

He further added that money paid to players could indirectly benefit their home country through taxes.

“Although belated, the realisation that the fees that they pay to a Pakistani player, who then pays income tax to his government which buys arms and weapons, indirectly contributes to the deaths of Indian soldiers and civilians is making Indian entities refrain from even considering having Pakistani artistes and sportspersons. Whether it is an Indian entity or an overseas subsidiary of the entity that is making the payment, if the owner is Indian then he or she is contributing to the Indian casualties. It’s as simple as that,” wrote Gavaskar.