‘It’s got nothing to do with him’ – Tim Paine responds to India legend Sunil Gavaskar claiming he should be sacked by Australia

Tim Paine refused to enter into a war of words with Sunil Gavaskar but insists his captaincy has ‘nothing to do with him’ after the India legend claimed Australia should look for a new leader.

Batting great Gavaskar was shocked and disappointed by Paine’s conduct during the drawn Sydney Test after the Australian clashed with India’s Ravi Ashwin.

In a heated sledging exchange, Paine called Ashwin a ‘d***head’ and Gavaskar says his comments were ‘unbefitting’ of an international captain.

‘His days as captain are numbered,’ he told India Today. ‘I would not be surprised if there is a change in the Australian captaincy after this series is over.

‘This game has a wonderful way of biting you on the backside so you are better off concentrating on the game and not trying to upset the opposition with that kind of nonsense.’

Asked about Gavaskar’s comments, Paine said ahead of the series decider in Brisbane: ‘I’m not going into it, getting into a back and forth with Sunny.

‘I don’t think I’m going to win that. Look, he’s entitled to his opinion. It doesn’t affect us one iota. [If] 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 got absolutely nothing to do with him.’

Australia won the first Test in Adelaide after Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood combined to bowl India out for 36.

India fought back and won the Boxing Day Test, however, before battling to a draw in Sydney to ensure the series is level at 1-1 heading to Brisbane.

Paine apologised for losing his cool during last week’s thrilling draw, telling reporters: ‘I want to apologise for the way I went about things.

‘I’m someone who prides themselves on the way I lead this team and yesterday was a poor reflection of that.

‘My leadership wasn’t good enough, I let the pressure of the game get to me, it affected my mood and from there affected my performance.’

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