Indian cricket has witnessed some remarkable players who excel under pressure, maintaining calm and composure. However, not all players benefit from staying cool in tough situations. Gautam Gambhir is a prime example of someone who thrives under pressure through aggression and passion.
His aggressive style and fiery temperament have made headlines in the cricketing world. Whether confronting Pakistani players or defending his teammates in the IPL, Gambhir’s actions on the field have been notable. Beyond his confrontations, he has also made significant contributions as the top run-scorer for India in the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 ODI World Cup finals, showcasing his ability to handle high-pressure situations effectively.
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Gautam Gambhir vs Shahid Afridi
In an interview with Irfan Pathan it was highlighted that Gautam Gambhir is a key player when it comes to matches against Pakistan. A notable incident occurred during the third ODI of the 2007 series between India and Pakistan in Kanpur. During a tense moment in the match Gambhir hit a four off Shahid Afridi’s delivery. On the next ball, while attempting a single Gambhir collided with Afridi, leading to a heated exchange between the two players.
Gautam Gambhir vs Kamran Akmal
Another notable incident involving Gambhir took place during the 2010 Asia Cup match between India and Pakistan at the Dambulla International Stadium in Sri Lanka. While chasing a target of 268 Gambhir in partnership with MS Dhoni was steering India towards victory.
Wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal eager for a breakthrough continuously appealed despite knowing the batsman was not out. During Saeed Ajmal’s over Gambhir missed a delivery and Akmal appealed for a catch which the umpire dismissed. This thing to a heated confrontation between Gambhir and Akmal.
Gambhir vs MS Dhoni
Post-retirement Gautam Gambhir has been vocal in cricket debates often targeting MS Dhoni for receiving the credit for India’s 2011 ODI World Cup win. Despite Gambhir’s crucial innings of 97 runs in the finals Dhoni was named Man of the Match. Gambhir has repeatedly expressed his displeasure, stating “Ek chakke ne World Cup nahi jitaya” implying that a single six did not win the World Cup.
Also Read: Gautam Gambhir Shared A Heartfelt Note For Fans After Becoming India Head Coach
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Gambhir vs. Sreesanth
The Indian team from the 2011 ODI World Cup has seen several internal conflicts, one being between Gautam Gambhir and Sreesanth during a Legends League game. While batting, Gambhir hit two boundaries off Sreesanth. On the third ball, Gambhir failed to connect, prompting Sreesanth to say something to him. This led to a face-off between the players, which was eventually diffused by the umpires.
Also Read: IND Vs ZIM: Yuvraj Singh Hailed Abhishek Sharma For His Maiden T20I Century
Gambhir vs Virat Kohli
Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli have had their share of altercations. In 2023, during an IPL match between Lucknow Super Giants and Royal Challengers Bangalore, Kohli argued with Naveen-ul-Haq and Amit Mishra. After RCB’s victory the situation escalated when Gambhir intervened while Kohli was talking to Kyle Mayers.
This led to a confrontation between Gambhir and Kohli, which grabbed media attention. After that it became clear that the entire discussion stemmed from Kohli’s argument with Amit Mishra and Naveen-ul-Haq two LSG players during the match. The words that came were
Gautam Gambhir: Kya bol raha hain bol.
Virat Kohli: Maine aapko kuch bola hi naahin, aap kyon ghus rahein ho
Gautam Gambhir: Tuney agar mere player ko bola hai, matlab tune meri family ko gaali diya hai
Virat Kohli: Toh aap apne family ko sambhal ke rakhiye
Gautam Gambhir: Toh ab tu mujhe sikhayega mujhe kya krna
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