Sunil Gavaskar blasts on-field staff at MA Chidambaram stadium after delay in match

When a dog appeared on the outfield of the Chennai franchise’s home match against Lucknow at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Monday, legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar yelled at the ground crew of the Chepauk. Chennai captain MS Dhoni and former captain Ravindra Jadeja were beaming as they observed the drama at the Chepauk after the dog disrupted Chennai’s first home Indian T20 League game since 2019.

When the cute pitch invader made headlines for interrupting the thrilling encounter between the Chennai and Lucknow franchise at Chepauk, the former Indian captain Gavaskar launched a tirade on television as a result of the brief holdup in the Indian T20 League 2023 encounter. 

What did Sunil Gavaskar say about the pitch-invasion?

Sunil Gavaskar, who was part of the commentary panel, blasted the on-field staff for chasing the dog during the Indian T20 League match between Chennai and Lucknow.

“This is just not acceptable… this delay. I mean, whoever has let this dog in, it’s not on. Chasing it is not going to help.” 

Speaking of the game, in Lucknow’s first away trip of the season, captain KL Rahul decided to bowl first after winning the toss against Chennai. Ruturaj Gaikwad, who seems to be in great form, gave Chennai a strong start at home and set the groundwork for a difficult total at Chepauk. The Indian opener scored 57 runs off just 31 deliveries to help Dhoni’s Chennai team score 110-1 in just 9.1 overs. 

Gaikwad, who scored consecutive half-centuries in the Indian T20 League 2023, was removed in the tenth over by the spinner Ravi Bishnoi. In the ITL 2023 curtain-raiser between Chennai and Gujarat, superstar Gaikwad produced another exquisite knock of 92 off 50 balls. 

At Chepauk, four-time winners Chennai were aiming for their first victory of the year. After losing to the defending champion Gujarat in the ITL 2023 opener, the former champion Chennai landed at their Chepauk den. At the Narendra Modi Stadium on Friday, the Gujarat team led by Hardik Pandya handed Chennai their first loss.