‘Great publicity stunt’ -Fans react as Chris Gayle rates India-Pakistan rivalry above Ashes
Chris Gayle has been one of the most destructive batters in World Cup’s irrespective of the format. The World has known him on his ability to single handedly take away games from the opposition. Now Gayle is also dabbling at cricket commentary. Ahead of the 2023 ODI World Cup he put out a big statement and said that he rates the India-Pakistan rivalry higher than he would rate the Ashes.
Ahead of the 2023 India-Pakistan clash at the World Cup, Gayle said as quoted by NDTV, “It is going to be the most exciting game of the World Cup. In any World Cup, it is like the final game. We know how that rivalry is. It is just a crazy sold-out game,” he said. Adding on Gayle said that he was dismayed with the West Indies cricket team’s recent World Cup qualifier performances. “It would be disappointing to see if they are not in the World Cup in India.” Gayle added.
It is sad to see the West Indies in this situation- Chris Gayle
Further speaking on India vs Pakistan clash he discussed the economics in relation to the game. He said India and Pakistan should ask for a lot more money for the high voltage clash due to the astronomical amounts of revenue generated. “Whenever those teams play, especially in a World Cup, the revenues they generate is humongous. One game can take care of the entire world event. Pakistan and India players should demand a lot of money for those games because those games are high paid games TV wise.” Gayle further elaborated
Gayle also spoke about the present situation in West Indies cricket and called in very appalling at the moment. The men from the Caribbean are sitting on thin ice as they could be out of the 2023 ODI World Cup qualifiers in Zimbabwe. “It is upsetting. I have been a part of Qualifiers before. Sad to be in such a situation. Things have not gone our way going into the Super Six. It is going to be tough. I will be very very disappointed not seeing the West Indies in the World Cup here in India,” he said.
Gayle who is no stranger in World Cups has been a part of two T20I World Cup winning teams in 2012 and 2016. He has been a wonderful servant of West Indies cricket. Gayle also said that he is in no rush to bid adieu to the game for cricket having last played an international game in 2021. Gayle said he will be active but wont play as often as he once did.
Let us take a look at the reactions on Twitter:
Ashes bigger in my book.
— India Se hai (@indiasehaii) June 30, 2023
There's no competition
It can't be greater than the ashes— Nilavjyoti Kalita (@Nilav07) June 30, 2023
We don't care
— Usman (@Usmanbhatti2228) June 30, 2023
Dont remember Pakistan and India playing a 5 test match series
— Allester (@AllesterPinto) June 30, 2023
Overrated 🫵🏻
— Akshayy (@AkshayyMahadik) June 30, 2023
https://twitter.com/abd__khan07/status/1674632231787044864?s=20
Babar Azam " Of course India vs Pak or Aus vs Eng is a big rivalry in world cricket, but nothing can come close to Pak vs Zim rivalry, it has a different aura altogether"
— Don Corleone Parody (@Saffron_Archer1) June 30, 2023
Thats a poor comparison. We are comparing a gruelling test series with sporadic one dayers / T20s . Test series are more a test of character than T20s or one dayers . If Ind – Pak had been playing tests, than it would have been a better comparison.
— Ravi Kukreja (@RaviKuk15405190) June 30, 2023
Ind vs Pak >> Ashes@TheBarmyArmy 👇🏻 : pic.twitter.com/NiKiJqLaM9
— 🇮🇳ꪜ𝒊ꪀᴏ (@Vinod96s) June 30, 2023
And, he is absolutely right. India vs Pakistan rivalry in white ball cricket is simply unmatchable. Though, in red ball 🏏 #Ashes is there at the top. And, then perhaps the closest one is #BorderGavaskar 🏆(since 2004 or so). #CWC23 #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/CSw0x8zc6D
— RAJESH-SWD 🧑💻 (@iamrajeshjena) June 30, 2023