I was taught to respect the
umpire's decision: Gavaskar

At a time when players openly express their displeasure to umpires' decisions, legendary batsman Sunil Gavaskar says he had been "taught to respect the umpire's decision very early" in his career.

Gavaskar, who was in Bombay to inaugurate Board of Control for Cricket in India's 13th All India Umpires' seminar on Friday, however, admitted that there were times when he did react negatively, something he regrets even till this day.

"At times, due to unavoidable pressures, I have reacted negatively, for which I still have regrets," he added.

The 'Little Master' said players should learn to respect the decisions of umpires so that cricket, considered a gentleman's game, could go on smoothly.

Gavaskar said new technology has put umpires under tremendous pressure. "But still I think they are doing a very good job out there as they have to be 110 per cent sure of their decisions.

"When you watch replays on TV, you see 95 per cent of the decisions made by the umpires are right and it is human that a few decisions may go the other way due to tremendous pressure faced by umpires."

The second highest run-getter in Test cricket, Gavaskar said he was fortunate to have umpires like Pillo Reporter, M V Gothoskar, P R Panjabi and A M Mamsa around while he was playing.

"During my days players and umpires had good rapport on and off the field and we would discuss the rules and regulations of the game in detail," he added.

Mail Cricket Editor