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"These Shameless Ones..." - Sunil Gavaskar Warns India Women’s Team
Follow UsGavaskar cautioned the players about hollow promises often made in the aftermath of such victories
Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar has issued a heartfelt yet cautionary message to the Indian Women’s Cricket Team, advising them not to get carried away by the flood of awards and promises being made after their historic 2025 ICC Women’s ODI World Cup triumph - India’s first-ever ICC trophy in women’s cricket.
While the Women in Blue had a shaky start in the league stage, they bounced back spectacularly - defeating New Zealand to enter the semi-finals, where they chased down a record target of 339 against Australia, and then overcame South Africa in the final to etch their names in history.
Writing in his column for Mid-Day, Gavaskar cautioned the players about hollow promises often made in the aftermath of such victories.
“Just a word of caution to the girls. Please don't get disappointed if some of the promised awards don’t come to you. In India, advertisers, and brands and individuals are quick to jump on the bandwagon and try and get free publicity for themselves on the shoulders of the winners,” Gavaskar wrote.
“Have a look at the full-page advertising and hoardings congratulating the team. Unless they are team and individual players’ sponsors, the rest are only trying to promote their brands or themselves and giving nothing to the ones who have brought glory to Indian cricket.”
Gavaskar, who was part of India’s 1983 World Cup-winning team, said his advice stems from personal experience. “The 1983 team also were made many promises with loads of coverage in the media then. Almost all never materialised.
“The media can’t be blamed as they were happy to carry the lofty announcements, not realising that they also were being used by these shameless people. So girls, don’t fret if these shameless ones are using your win to promote themselves.
"The 1983 guys will tell you that so many decades down the line, the love and affection of the simple Indian cricket lover is our greatest wealth and so it will be yours too, when you also put your feet up. Heartiest congratulations once again. The nation is proud of you. Jai Hind."