Sunil Gavaskar rips through ex-Australia players - 'I'm a proud Indian, do not use words like skullduggery'

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Batting great Sunil Gavaskar has ripped through former Australian players for using disdainful words against India amid the ongoing 4-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Notably, several former Australia players have questioned the quality of Indian pitches even before the start of the first Test in Nagpur. Mark Taylor has even alleged "skullduggery" in preparation of the pitches which have supported the spinners.

Taking note of the "skullduggery" comment from Taylor, the former India captain has suggested that "distasteful" words should be avoided by the former Australian players, especially at a time when the cricketing relation between India and Australia was completing a total of 75 years. The comments from Gavaskar have come on a day when Prime Ministers of India and Australia were present at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Day 1 of the fourth Test in Ahmedabad to celebrate 75 years of cricketing relationship between the two countries. India and Australia played their first matches against each other in 1947.

Gavaskar comes down hard at former Australia cricketers

"Steve Smith has actually said that he enjoys playing and captaining in India because every delivery is a challenge, every over things can change quite quickly. The current Australian players have not said anything but the noise that has been coming from some of the former players, that's been a bit disturbing. Considering that we are entering an era of 75 years of India-Australia friendship, some of the ex-players from Australia could not use words that are not quite tasteful," Sunil Gavaskar told India Today.

"The pitch was the same for both. Play and accept that when you come overseas, you are not going to get pitches like at home, but do not use words like skullduggery, doubting the integrity of the Indians. No country can have a monopoly on integrity and honesty, Let's get this absolutely straight. I am a very proud Indian. When somebody casts doubt on Indians and myself, I will speak my mind," Gavaskar added.

The pitch in Ahmedabad is in complete contrast in comparison to those in Nagpur, Delhi and Indore where the ball turned from day one. Australia won the toss and opted to bat first in Ahmedabad. They finished Day 1 at 255/4. Pacer Mohammed Shami picked two wickets for India, while spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja one wicket apiece.