Australia v India fourth Test: Tim Paine responds to Sunil Gavaskar’s sledging criticism

Tim Paine came in for plenty of criticism after his sledging against Ravichandran Ashwin in Sydney — now he’s responded to an Indian great’s captaincy gibe.

Tim Paine says he’s happy to cop the heat for Mitch Starc’s wayward spells on day five.

You sensed Tim Paine wanted to raise his gloves and take on a legend but recent experiences have taught him better.

Among the most severe criticism Paine received for his exchange with Indian spinner Ravi Ashwin came from Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar who said it was “unbefitting of a national team captain.’’

Gavaskar tipped Paine’s time as captain was coming to a swift end.

The much admired Gavaskar had his own feisty moments such when he grabbed batting partner Chatan Chauhan and walked off the MCG in protest against what he thought was a dreadful lbw decision in 1981.

Sunil Gavaskar hit out at Tim Paine’s sledging in Sydney.

Tim Paine was not keen to buy into Sunil Gavaskar’s criticism.

Paine could have returned serve but given it has been only two days since he apologised for being too lippy, he was forced to button the very same lip which flapped in the breeze for a while in Sydney.

“I have (seen Gavaskar’s comment),’’ Paine said.

“But I’m not going into it, getting into a back and forth with Sunny Gavaskar. I don’t think I’m going to win that.

“Look he’s entitled to his opinion. It doesn’t affect us one iota. Anything it’s adding to the Test match which is great.

“So Sunny can keep saying what he wants to say but at the end of the day it’s absolutely got nothing to do with him.’’

PAINE: BLAME ME FOR MISFIRING STARC

Tim Paine has blamed himself for Mitchell Starc’s Sydney radar scramble and is determined to provide the support he needs to reset it at the Gabba.

Statistical data revealed Starc’s pace in Sydney was in the lower levels recorded in his Test career and he bowled too much leg-side as India held out for a remarkable draw.

Paine, who had the worst day of his career as he dropped three catches and compounded his distress by abusing Ravi Ashwin, felt his unsettled state of mind was transmitted to Starc.

“I was disappointed on day five,’’ Paine said. “My role is to keep him nice and calm, keep him really clear on what I and we expect of him.

“He’s the type of bowler who, when you give him really simple, clear instructions, and keep him on an even keel – he normally bowls the house down.

“My mood around day five, potentially he was one I affected and that was the reason why he wasn’t at his best.

Tim Paine says he’s happy to cop the heat for Mitch Starc’s wayward spells on day five.

“Again it’s about me getting back to basics, keeping him nice and relaxed. Keeping him clear on what we want him to

do, and when we do that – he more often than not delivers.

“Some days Starcy looks like, well like he is – one of the great bowlers in the world. Then the next day he has a bad day, like the rest of us. But even his last spell in Sydney I thought was outstanding.’’

Starc has nine wickets 31 in the series with Josh Hazlewood (11 at 18) and Pat Cummins (15 at 18) being more of a threat but he enjoys bowling at the Gabba.

Fox Cricket’s Brett Lee said Starc should review the highlights of his finest moments of his career as a way of sorting out why he was off key at times in Sydney.

Mitch Starc was below his best on the last day in Sydney.

Paine is adamant there will be no repeat of his unsavoury aggression against Indian spinner Ravi Ashwin whom he called a “dickhead’’ at SCG, prompting him to call a press conference to apologise the next day.

“I’ll be being myself. I said the other day – I let the moment get to me. Which is a very rare thing. A bit of a blip on the radar. I’ve copped that on the chin, I’ll look to come out this week and play competitive Test cricket as I always do.

“And if there’s a bit of banter to be said, then yeah I’m always up for it.’’

Originally published as Australia v India fourth Test: Tim Paine responds to Sunil Gavaskar’s sledging criticism