Feisty Gambhir walks into sunset, former teammates stay away

Vinayak Padmadeo

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 9

Gautam Gambhir’s farewell party reiterated the fact that the feisty left-hander made few friends on the cricket field. His long-time Delhi teammate Sumit Narwal and former India bowler Joginder Sharma were the only two former players at his send-off organised by the Delhi & Districts Cricket Association. His mother Seema Gambhir, wife Natasha, daughters Aazeen and Anaiza were also present but the majority of the guests were the current and former DDCA officials, including its current president Rajat Sharma. A few hundred of his fans also thronged the Feroze Shah Kotla Stadium. With little Anaiza in his arms, Gambhir greeted and thanked them for their support. Amidst all this, the absence of his former teammates stuck out like a sore thumb.

Feisty character 

The Modern School and the Hindu College alumnus is known for his tempestuous nature and ultra competitive streak. He never backed down from confrontations on the cricket field. In 2007, during an ODI in Kanpur, he had a mid-pitch bust-up with Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi; a year later, he elbowed Australia’s Shane Watson, inviting a one-Test ban. All this, along with gutsy performances in trying conditions, endeared him to cricket fans.  Among his best Test knocks, the 643-minute innings against New Zealand in Napier in 2009 takes the pride of place. Establishing himself as the big match player, he chipped in with crucial performances in the finals to help India win the 2007 World T20 and the 2011 World Cup. He top-scored with a breezy 75 in the World T20 final against Pakistan, and contributed 97 against Sri Lanka in the 2011 World Cup final. 

Run-ins 

Despite such highs with the bat, his penchant to pick up fights ensured he didn’t have many friends. Gambhir last donned India colours in the drawn Test match against England in Nagpur in 2016. Since then, he has focused all his energy on Delhi cricket and has had more than a few run-ins, especially with former cricketers. When Delhi seamer Navdeep Saini was called up to India’s squad for the historic Test match against Afghanistan, Gambhir vented his anger against former India stars Chetan Chauhan and Bishan Singh Bedi for resisting his efforts to draft the Karnal pacer into the Delhi side. He tweeted: “My ‘condolences’ to a few DDCA members, @BishanBedi @ChetanChauhanCr on the selection of ‘outsider’ Navdeep Saini to India squad. Am told black armbands are available in Bangalore too for INR 225 per roll! Sir, just remember Navdeep is an Indian first, then comes his domicile @BCCI.”

He also abused and threatened to hit chief curator Venkat Sunderam before the start of Vijay Hazare Zonal league in 2014 over disagreement on the nature of the wicket. Last year, he abused the then Delhi coach KP Bhaskar and mocked his cricketing credentials. He even fell out with his long-time friend Virender Sehwag over the prospective appointment of Manoj Prabhakar as Delhi’s bowling coach.

“He did great as a player. He has helped a lot of youngsters, too, but he will never receive the same adulation as others here because of his abusive nature. He behaves badly with people who don’t agree to his line of thought,” commented a journalist on the condition of anonymity.

The nationalist 

Gambhir has carved up a niche for himself on social media with his pro-India and pro-armed forces tweets. He has over 8.6 million followers on Twitter. All this has fuelled rumours of him taking a plunge in politics, though he denied any such plans while addressing the media last time as a player.

“These are rumours, maybe because I take up social issues (on Twitter). For me Twitter is a platform where I can raise them. Being the citizen of this country, it is my right to take up social issues and probably that’s why people are thinking I will join politics but there is nothing of that sort,” he said.

“I have not even thought about it (joining politics) and it is a completely different field. For 25 years I have not thought about doing anything else, so let’s see what I am going to do,” he added.

He, however, will continue to be the government nominee in DDCA. He copped a lot of flak for his dual role as the Delhi captain and as the nominee. “I am still the government nominee, so hopefully I can now try and contribute more,” he said with a grin.

He confessed he wasn’t the most loved guy in cricket while dismissing his chances of taking up an administrator’s role sometime in the future. “I am too straightforward to be in administration. I don’t think people will accept me anywhere.”

Four of His Best Hits

137 vs New Zealand in Napier, 2009

India seemed down and out in the second Test after New Zealand put up 619/9 decl, bowled India out for 305 and made them follow on. Then followed one of the greatest rescue jobs by an Indian batsman — Gambhir played out 436 balls over 643 minutes, putting up important partnerships with Rahul Dravid (62), Sachin Tendulkar (64) and VVS Laxman (124). India managed to save the match.

97 vs Sri Lanka in Mumbai, 2011

India’s top score in the ODI World Cup final, though MS Dhoni’s unbeaten 91 won him the Man of the Match. Chasing 275 for their second World Cup title (after 28 years), India were in trouble after Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar were gone with only 31 on the board. Gambhir added 83 with Virat Kohli and 109 with Dhoni as India romped home, Dhoni providing the finishing touches. 

93 vs S Africa in Cape Town, 2011

A great innings in tough conditions, after South Africa had made 362. Gambhir made 93 off and Sachin Tendulkar a brilliant 146 as India took a two-run lead. Gambhir was needed in the second innings too as India were set an improbable target of 340. This time he batted 271 minutes as India ended up with 166/3, saving the match and drawing the Test series 1-1.

75 vs Pakistan in Jo’burg, 2007

With India 40/2 in the inaugural T20I World Cup final, Gambhir took over, getting to his 50 in 38 balls even as wickets fell regularly. He made 75 off 54 balls, and India were 130/5 when he fell. India got to 157/5 and won by 5 runs on a memorable night in Johannesburg.

Goodbye, Gauti!

Gautam Gambhir was an important member of the India team that became No. 1 in Tests, and won T20 World Cup in 2007 and ODI World Cup in 2011

4,154

Runs in 104 innings of 58 Tests, at an average of 41.95, with a top score of 206. He made 9 100s and 22 50s in Test cricket

5,238

Runs in 143 innings of 147 ODIs, at an average of 39.68 and strike rate of 85.25, top score 150*. He made 11 100s and 34 50s in ODI cricket

932

Runs in 36 innings of 37 T20Is, at an average of 27.41 and strike rate of 119.02, top score 75. He made 7 50s in T20Is, hitting 109 4s, 10 6s

10,324

International runs (Tests, ODIs, T20Is) in 242 matches, at an average of 38.95. He made 20 100s, 63 50s and hit 1188 4s and 37 6s.