India batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has said that the batsmen are making tons of money and have the financial security from T20 leagues, which is enabling them to go bang-bang in cricket, something that was not prevalent in his times.

During a public conversation with Ashis Ray organized by The Indus Entrepreneurs (TIE) London, Gavaskar was asked whether it was the advanced protective equipment of modern-day allowing batsmen to play more aggressively than previously.

"It is not just the protective gear. I think it is the cushion that they have in terms of the T20 leagues that they can be part of. When we played, whatever income we got, 500 rupees or when I finished playing cricket, it was 5,000 rupees for a Test match, that was extra income for us," said Gavaskar.

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He further mentioned that during his times, if they were dropped from the team due to poor form, they had to go back to a normal 9-5 job to earn money to run their households, hence couldn’t afford to play extravagantly.

"If we didn't do well, we were dropped from the Test team. We had to go back to our jobs -- with Tatas, Railways, Air India, Steel Authority of India -- 9 to 5 job. Today that worry or fear is not there. You have the IPL, the Big Bash, there is also the Hundred. Though Big Bash and Hundred don't pay as much, there is that cushion. So there is not a worry.

The batsman thinks, "I'll go bang-bang. So what if I score quick runs, I get out. Never mind". That cushion. It is a mental thing. Why would you go bang, bang unless you know you have got something waiting for you. That is the way I look at it," added Gavaskar.

(IANS inputs)