‘Are You Serious?’: Sunil Gavaskar Slams Tom Banton for ‘School Cricket’ DRS Error Against India

Former Indian captain and legendary commentator Sunil Gavaskar was left furious on air during the third and final ODI between India and England at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. The cricketing icon expressed his disbelief after England batter Tom Banton wasted a DRS review following his dismissal for 38 off 41 balls.

The incident unfolded during the final ball of the 18th over in England’s chase of 357, when Kuldeep Yadav delivered a well-disguised googly, slower through the air, landing on a length around middle stump. Banton leaned forward to defend, but the ball took the outside edge of his bat.

📌 Key moments from the dismissal:

• KL Rahul, behind the stumps, fumbled on the first attempt but held onto the ball on his second try.
• The on-field umpire upheld India’s appeal, ruling Banton out caught behind.
• Despite the clear edge, Banton consulted non-striker Joe Root before opting for a DRS review.
• UltraEdge confirmed a spike when the ball passed the bat, leading to England losing both a batter and a review.

Gavaskar’s Furious On-Air Rant: ‘This is Not School Cricket!’

Banton’s ill-advised review triggered a strong reaction from Sunil Gavaskar, who criticized the batter for failing to recognize that he had edged the ball.

“Are you serious? Taking a review when you nick the ball—how can a batter not know that he has nicked the ball? Particularly when the bat has not hit the ground or any other part of his body! This is international cricket. This is not school cricket,”

 Gavaskar fumed on air.

The former India captain further pointed out that Banton’s decision to consult Root before reviewing made even less sense, emphasizing that a batter always knows when they have edged the ball.

“You might sometimes not know, but this is international cricket. It makes less sense because he went over to the non-striker to consult,” 

he added.

Gavaskar’s sharp critique resonated with many fans and analysts who believed that Banton’s review was unnecessary and reflected a lack of game awareness at the highest level.

India’s Dominant Batting Display Sets 357-Run Target

Before the dramatic DRS incident, India’s batting lineup produced a stunning performance, posting a massive 356/7 in their 50 overs. The innings was anchored by a magnificent century from Shubman Gill, who continues to shine in ODIs.

Key Contributions from Indian Batters:

✅ Shubman Gill – 112 off 97 balls 🎯 (7th ODI century)
✅ Shreyas Iyer – 78 off 64 balls 💥 (Aggressive middle-order knock)
✅ Virat Kohli – 52 off 55 balls 🏏 (Classic anchor role)

Gill, playing at one of his favorite venues, once again demonstrated his flawless strokeplay and calm temperament, ensuring that India set an imposing total against the struggling England side.

Despite Kohli and Iyer providing strong support, England’s bowlers failed to contain India’s aggressive approach, with spinners and pacers alike going for plenty.

With 357 runs on the board, the Men in Blue had a firm grip on the game, setting up their bowlers for another dominant display in Ahmedabad.

England’s Struggles Continue – A Series to Forget

Tom Banton’s poor DRS call was just one of many errors in England’s forgettable campaign in the ODI series. The visitors have struggled throughout their white-ball tour, having lost seven of their eight matches against India.

🔴 Key Concerns for England:
❌ Poor shot selection and collapses under pressure
❌ Lack of middle-order stability
❌ Inconsistent bowling performances

England’s woes in limited-overs cricket have raised serious concerns ahead of upcoming ICC tournaments, including the T20 World Cup and Champions Trophy 2025.

With India dominating across all formats, England will need to reevaluate their strategies and squad balance to remain competitive at the international level.

Looking Ahead: India Gain Momentum for Champions Trophy 2025

With a 3-0 clean sweep over England, India has gained crucial momentum heading into the Champions Trophy 2025. The team has showcased a balanced mix of aggressive batting, disciplined bowling, and sharp fielding, making them one of the strongest contenders for the tournament.

Key Takeaways from India’s ODI Series Win:

✅ Shubman Gill emerging as a reliable top-order anchor
✅ Middle-order stability with Kohli, Iyer, and Rahul firing
✅ Bowling attack executing plans effectively across all games
✅ Aggressive yet calculated approach in white-ball cricket

With Gavaskar’s on-air reaction becoming a talking point, India’s focus remains on fine-tuning their squad and maintaining consistency in the build-up to future tournaments.

For now, Banton’s “school cricket” error will serve as a lesson, but India’s message to the cricketing world is loud and clear – they are here to dominate.

Final Thoughts

India’s series win was a masterclass in batting dominance, strategic bowling, and match awareness. While Gavaskar’s sharp critique of Banton’s DRS mistake added some spice to the match, the broader takeaway remains India’s impressive form leading into future tournaments.

📢 What are your thoughts on Gavaskar’s reaction? Was Banton’s review a genuine mistake or a lapse in judgment? Let us know in the comments!