Adam Gilchrist, the former Australia wicketkeeper, has apologised to Mohammed Siraj and Navdeep Saini after mixing them up on air while addressing the former’s recent bereavement.
Siraj, the India pacer, decided to remain with the team in Australia despite his father passing away back in India last week. While on air during the match, Gilchrist was referencing that, but mistakenly suggested it was Saini who was bereaved.
The faux pas was immediately picked up on social media, with Indian fans particularly shocked. Many of them lamented the perceived lack of “homework” done by the commentators.
Gilchrist and Warne offering condolences to Navdeep Saini's family for three entire minutes is the kind of unprepared commentary modern cricket should not have to deal with. It cannot be very difficult to spend ten minutes on homework.
— Sarthak Dev (@devellix) November 27, 2020
Gilchrist said Saini's father passed away last week in the commentary. I mean, basic research. Very basic. Know the players! #AUSvIND
— Rohit Sankar (@imRohit_SN) November 27, 2020
In fact, it wasn’t just the fans. Even Mitchell McClenaghan, the New Zealand pacer, took to Twitter to point out the mistake, tagging Australia broadcasters Fox Cricket.
@FoxCricket Siraj lost his father not Saini 😢 condolences to Siraj’s family #INDvAUS
— Mitchell McClenaghan (@Mitch_Savage) November 27, 2020
Gilchrist, for his part, quickly apologised to both Saini and Siraj as soon as he was alerted on Twitter, acknowledging he made a mistake.
Yes, thanks @anshu2912 I realize I was mistaken in my mention. Huge apologies for my error, to both @navdeepsaini96 and Mohammed Siraj. 🙏😌 https://t.co/618EUIEyNU
— Adam Gilchrist (@gilly381) November 27, 2020
Yep, thanks @Mitch_Savage My huge apologies again to all. https://t.co/F8rYsD6fxm
— Adam Gilchrist (@gilly381) November 27, 2020
He was commended for his quick acknowledgement.
Good on ya Gilly 👌
— Mitchell McClenaghan (@Mitch_Savage) November 27, 2020
Good on you Gilly, great humility!
— 🏏Flashscore Cricket Commentators (@FlashCric) November 27, 2020
India suffered a huge 66-run loss in the first ODI against Australia, with the home side posting a mammoth 375-run target that India fell well short of despite half-centuries from Hardik Pandya and Shikhar Dhawan.
The second ODI will be played in Sydney on Sunday.
