'Verify and fact-check before believing' - Sunil Gavaskar expresses concern over menace of fake news

Sunil Gavaskar is known for being someone who speaks from his heart and calls a spade a spade. He may be 75 years old, but there is no shortage of energy and enthusiasm in his commentary stints. Gavaskar is also one of the most passionate fans of Indian cricket. 

Gavaskar is often in the limelight because of his candid takes on the sport. However, the former India captain urged cricket enthusiasts to verify and do some fact-checking before believing quotes that are attributed to him, especially by individual accounts and some sports websites.

"Over the last few months, it's come to my notice that a lot of sports websites and individual accounts have been attributing comments and quotes to me which I have never made. I request everybody to verify, fact-check and not to believe everything that they read. Particularly coming from some of these individual accounts and sports websites. God bless you all," Gavaskar said in a video he posted on his official Instagram account.

"Please verify before believing quotes attributed to me," the cricketer-turned-commentator wrote in the caption of his post.

Gavaskar is currently in England, where he is doing commentary in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. His celebration when Rishabh Pant scored a century in the second innings of the first Test at Headingley, Leeds, won the hearts of cricket fans. Gavaskar wanted to see Pant pulling off his trademark somersault celebration. However, the wicketkeeper-batter kept it on hold as he wanted to focus on getting India into a stronger position.

Unfortunately, Pant, who also scored a century in the first innings, finished on the losing side as England chased down a  371-run target with five wickets to spare. The second Test begins on Wednesday, July 2, at Edgbaston, Birmingham.