Sachin Tendulkar Says Vinesh Phogat Was 'Robbed', Prays CAS will do Justice to Wrestler after Disqualification at Paris Olympics

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Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar has voiced his support for wrestler Vinesh Phogat, who was controversially disqualified from the Women's Freestyle 50kg competition at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

In a powerful tweet, Tendulkar called for Phogat to be awarded a silver medal, arguing that her disqualification defies logic and goes against the spirit of fair play.

Tendulkar's statement has resonated with many in India, where the news of Phogat's disqualification just hours before her gold medal match sent shockwaves through the nation. Vinesh Phogat, who was 100 grams over the weight limit during the second-day weigh-in, was removed from the final despite having defeated World No. 1 Yui Susaki in her path to the gold medal bout. This decision, upheld by United World Wrestling (UWW), has been met with widespread criticism.

In his tweet, Tendulkar emphasized the importance of context in applying sporting rules. "Every sport has rules and those rules need to be seen in context, maybe even revisited at times. Vinesh Phogat qualified fair and square for the finals. Her disqualification by weight, was before the finals, and hence, for her to be robbed of a deserving silver medal defies logic and sporting sense," he wrote.

Tendulkar further highlighted the difference between Phogat's case and more severe breaches, such as doping. "It would have been understandable if an athlete were to have been disqualified for ethical breaches such as the usage of performance enhancing drugs. In that case, to not be awarded any medal and be placed last would be justifiable. However, Vinesh beat her opponents fairly to reach the top two. She definitely deserves a silver medal," Tendulkar added.

Phogat's disqualification has sparked a significant debate, with many calling for the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to challenge the decision. The case has now been taken to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), where Phogat is seeking annulment of her disqualification and a shared silver medal.

The CAS hearing, which is expected to deliver a verdict soon, could have far-reaching implications not only for Phogat's career but also for the future of international wrestling regulations.

Tendulkar concluded his statement with a hopeful note, urging fans to support Phogat as she awaits the CAS decision. "While we all wait for a verdict from the Court of Arbitration for Sport, let us hope and pray that Vinesh gets the recognition she deserves."