Former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag has said the Australian players touring India were scared of sledging the Indian players during the ODI series due to the fear of losing out on their lucrative IPL contracts.
The former Indian opener said the Australian players exercised restraint and did not get involved in verbal duels due to the possibility of being overlooked for next years’ IPL auctions which are likely to bring big bucks their way.
“They [Australian cricketers] are scared because of the next year's mega IPL auctions,” Sehwag said. “If they had sledged the Indian players in the ODI series, then the Indian franchise owners might think before bidding high for the Australian players,” he told India TV.
Cricket fixtures between India and Australia often witness heightened on-field tensions and verbal volleys between both teams.
Virender Sehwag Source: Facebook
They are scared because of the next year's mega IPL auctions,” Sehwag said. “If they had sledged the Indian players in the ODI series, then the Indian franchise owners might think before bidding high for the Australian players.- Virender Sehwag
Earlier this year, a test series between India and Australia witnessed a row in Bengaluru when Australian captain Steve Smith waited and looked towards the team dressing room after the umpire adjudged him LBW. The Indian team at that time accused Smith of seeking assistance from the dressing room on whether to seek a review of the decision.
Smith later admitted to “brain fade” while he stood in the middle.
However, the recently concluded five-match ODI series which Australia lost 1-4, remained relatively incident-free with neither team resorting to aggressive verbal tactics during the on-field action.
Sehwag, who regularly appears on a private news television channel as a cricket expert said the Aussies deliberately kept quiet during the series.
“I think the Australian team was playing under pressure because they don't have all the great players now. Their team was dependent on two or three players - David Warner, Steve Smith and Aaron Finch. Out of these three players, Smith couldn't do much. Also, I think the fair amount of criticism which Smith received due to some of his actions, including the ‘brain fade’ moment during the Test series created the pressure on them," Sehwag said.
