"India funds your salaries": Gavaskar slams Hussain and Atherton for criticising tournament advantage

Former Indian opener Sunil Gavaskar has hit out at former England captains Nasser Hussain and Michael Atherton after they criticised India's advantage in the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy.

Gavaskar reminded them that their salaries as broadcasters largely come from India's contribution to world cricket.

India are playing all their matches in Dubai due to the hybrid model adopted after the BCCI refused to travel to Pakistan. Meanwhile, teams playing against India have had to shuttle between Pakistan and the UAE, leading to questions from several former and current cricketers, including Hussain, Atherton, Pat Cummins, and Rassie van der Dussen.

Gavaskar, however, dismissed their complaints, urging them to focus on their own teams' shortcomings instead. "I think these are all wise and experienced people. Why don't you actually look at why your team has not qualified? That's what I was going to ask you, sir," he told India Today.

"Rather than constantly focusing on India, are you even looking at your own backyard? Your players are in such a fragile mental state—they don't seem to care about results as long as they meet certain expectations.

"You must care about results. You must care for your country, for any team you play for. If you are playing for your country, the responsibility is even greater."

Gavaskar further emphasised India's significant role in global cricket, both in terms of talent and revenue generation. "They are always moaning," he said. "They just cannot seem to understand where India stands in international cricket—in terms of quality, income, talent, and, more importantly, in generating revenue.

"India's contribution to global cricket, through television rights and media revenue, plays a massive role. They need to understand that their salaries also come from what India brings to the world of cricket."