'The Indian fans have been slamming me on social media' - Tim Paine clarifies his 'sideshows' comment on Team India

The social media world was kept buzzing the whole of yesterday with discussions, reactions, and comments around Tim Paine, who blamed Australia’s historic loss in the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy on India’s sideshows. Paine stated that the Indian team was brilliant with their mind games and managed to distract the Aussies, who took their “eyes off the ball”.

In no time, Twitter went berserk with India’s mammoth fanbase taking one jibe after another against the Australian skipper with comments terming him “lame” and “tasteless”, to some asking him to “accept defeat” and “stop making excuses”.

On the function of the Chappell Foundation, Paine was asked to comment upon his thoughts on the series defeat and the loss at Brisbane, Australia’s fortress. Calling Indian’s “very good at niggling” and “distracting”, Paine said: “Part of the challenge of playing against India is they’re very good at niggling you and trying to distract you with stuff that doesn’t really matter and there were times in that series where we fell for that.”

“The classic example was when they said they weren’t going to the Gabba so we didn’t know where we were going. They’re very good at creating these sideshows and we took our eye off the ball,” he added.

India outplayed us and they deserved to win: Tim Paine

Having received plenty of flak, Tim Paine got into an interaction with veteran Australian wicketkeeper-batter Adam Gilchrist on the ‘Gilly and Goss podcast’, where he clarified that though he stands on what he said, he still gives the credit to India for being the better team and deserving winners on the tour.

“I was asked a number of things, and one of those was talking about the challenges of playing against India. One of them was the distraction they can create. There was a lot of talks that they weren’t going to Brisbane. They’re always changing gloves and bringing out physios and all that can get on your nerves. Just that was one of the things that probably distracted me and took my eye off the ball at times,” Paine told Gilchrist.

“But also, I did say that they simply outplayed us and that they deserved to win but they left that one out. The Indian fans have been slamming me on social media. They’re saying that I’m making excuses again but it’s all good fun.”

“I love the Indian fans. I don’t mind getting a bit of stick, particularly when you deserve it. They ripped me off when I dropped those catches, I thought that was totally fair. Look, I love the passion, I love how much they love cricket. I love how much they interact and for some people, it is a positive interaction, but most of the time they are into me. But I don’t mind that,” Paine added.