Off The Field

Like Gambhir’s batting but as a person, he has some issues: Shahid Afridi

Written by Rohit Pawar

Ever since that India vs Pakistan ODI in Kanpur in 2007, former India opener Gautam Gambhir and former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi have been at loggerheads. The duo had a heated argument in that match which it seems has stayed with them. After taking numerous pot-shots at each other, Afridi once again fuelled the rivalry by saying that Gambhir, the human being, has some issues.

While maintaining that he has always liked Gambhir’s batting, Afridi said the former India opener at times says certain things which make him realise that he has some problems.

“As a cricketer, as a batsman, I’ve liked him always but as a human being he sometimes says certain things, gives certain treatment that you feel just let it be, he has some problems. His physio has already highlighted that,” Afridi to Zainab Abbas in an interview.

The former Pakistan captain was highlighting Paddy Upton’s comment on Gambhir in the former’s book.

Upton, who had worked as a mental conditioner with the Indian team between 2009 and 2011, recalled how Gambhir would be in “agony” even after scoring a hundred and stressing more on the mistakes he might have made.

Gambhir’s response was, “I wanted myself and Indian team to be the best in the world. That’s why I was not satisfied even after scoring 100 as it has been mentioned in Paddy’s book. I see nothing wrong there. As a driven individual, I have tried to raise the bar for myself alone.”

The left-hander’s response to Afridi, who had termed him as ‘who has attitude problems’ in his autobiography, was, however, a lot different.

About the author

Rohit Pawar

An Independent I.T. Security Expert, Geek, Blogger & Passionate Programmer.