NEW DELHI – Batting legend Sunil Gavaskar, along with few other Indiancricketers, was invited to the oath-taking ceremony of Imran Khan, oncePakistan’s World Cup-winning captain and now its prime minister-in-waiting.

Gavaskar, however, declined to attend Imran’s swearing-in ceremony due tohis commentating commitments during the ongoing England vs India Testseries.

The facts, however, were twisted by Indian news channel ‘Times Now’, whichclaimed Gavaskar put India first by turning down Imran’s invite. “’Desh’not ‘dost’ priority. Message for Sidhu and Cong. Pro-Imran lobby is ontest. Will Sidhu dump Imran too?” the channel tweeted.

The post instantly sparked criticism from social media users who slammedthe channel for putting a negative twist on the situation. JournalistRajdeep Sardesai, who interviewed Gavaskar following Imran’s invitation,called out the channel for its ‘Desh’ narrative.

“Hey @TimesNow Gavaskar in his interview to me said he can’t attend@ImranKhanPTI swearing in because he is doing commentary in England.Nothing to do with this ‘Desh’ bull crap! In fact, Sunny was full of praisefor Imran. Watch the interview and stop pushing your toxic agenda!”Sardesai responded.

The journalist also posted a video of his interview with Gavaskar, wherethe cricketer had explained his reasons for declining the invite. “Yes, Idid speak to Imran himself,” Gavaskar had confirmed.

“He was inquiring if I’d be able to make it. I said to him thatunfortunately because of my commentary commitments I won’t be able to doso. But my best wishes are with him and I’m hoping to see him sooner ratherthan later.”

“I think I’ve known him for plenty of years. I think it’s a huge moment forthe cricketing fraternity that one of theirs has gone on to become theprime minister of a country so I wish him very well,” Gavaskar hadcontinued, adding that Imran has “a wonderful opportunity to set up acompletely new beginning as far as India-Pakistan relations are concerned.”

According to media reports, former Indian cricketers Kapil Dev and NavjotSingh Sidhu have accepted Imran’s invitation to attend his oath-taking.