Former India skipper Sunil Gavaskar has urged people to verify comments and quotes attributed to him, highlighting the spread of fake news in recent times.
The 75-year-old still plays an active role in cricket as a commentator and expert. He is currently in England to cover the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, which got underway on June 20 at Headingley.
“Over the last few months, it’s come to my notice that a lot of sports websites and individual accounts have been attributing comments and quotes to me which I have never made," Gavaskar said in a video posted on his Instagram account.
Several other former cricketers like Anil Kumble and Ravichandran Ashwin have raised their voices against fake quotes and posting on social media lately.
With the advent of fake news all around, legendary cricketers’ popularity has often been misused by the media houses.
During India’s 2024-25 tour of Australia, Sunil Gavaskar had complained against a website for publishing a fake article in his name.
Recently, Gavaskar’s reaction when Rishabh Pant slammed a hundred in the second innings of the Leeds Test took the internet by storm. The seasoned broadcaster wanted to see Pant pulling off his trademark somersault celebration, but the wicketkeeper-batter refused while also gesturing that he will do it next time.
Pant, who hit twin centuries in the match, ended up on the losing side as England chased down a 371-run target with five wickets in hand to take a 1-0 lead in the five-Test series.
