Mohammad Shami expressed his disapproval of Sanjiv Goenka’s public confrontation with KL Rahul, deeming it shameful and emphasizing the importance of respect towards players.
Sanjiv Goenka’s confrontation with KL Rahul post-Lucknow Super Giants’ loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad has stirred controversy, drawing criticism from fans and former cricketers alike. India’s Mohammad Shami, amid injury rehab, condemned Goenka’s behavior as shameful, stressing the need for respect towards players, especially in public. Shami urged for such discussions to remain private, suggesting they belong in the dressing room or team hotel.
“Players have respect, and you are a respectful person, too, as an owner. Many people are watching you and learning from you. If these things happen in front of cameras … ye sharam wali baat hai (it’s a matter of shame),” Shami on the Cricbuzz.
“If you have to do that, there are many different ways. You could’ve done the same thing in the dressing room or the hotel. It wasn’t necessary to do it on the field. Aise reaction de ke koi lal quile pe jhanda toh gaad nahi diya aapne ( By reacting like this, you haven’t raised a flag on the Red Fort)”, he added.
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Shami also highlighted the added gravity of the incident given KL Rahul’s role as team captain, deeming it especially distasteful. Stressing cricket’s team dynamics, he emphasized that unsuccessful strategies are part of the game and shouldn’t prompt such public reprimands. While acknowledging on-field disputes among players as common, he further drew a clear line against external parties intervening in player matters.
“He’s the captain, too, not a normal player. It’s a team game; it isn’t a big thing if the plan isn’t successful. Anything is possible in the game. I understand there can be good or bad days, but every player has respect, and there’s a way to talk. This sends a very wrong message,” the 33-year-old pacer continued.
“There are a lot of moments in the game when tempers flare up, and players quarrel with each other. It should not happen in cricket or any sport, but it does happen. A player talking to another player is different, but someone from the outside discussing something with the player is different. We are only speculating from what we are seeing, and only KL Rahul could tell what the conversation was about, but these kinds of reactions do not have any place in sports,” he concluded.
Last Updated on May 10, 2024
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