14th August 2023, Mumbai: During their playing days, former Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi and ex-India opener Gautam Gambhir were known for their fierce rivalry both on and off the field. Even after retirement, they grabbed headlines on quite a few occasions for their jibes at each other on social media.
Feud between Afridi and Gambhir
The feud between Afridi and Gambhir started during a high-voltage India versus Pakistan clash in Kanpur in 2007
Earlier this year, Afridi and Gambhir took part in Legends League Cricket, where they also shook hands with each other. However, things haven’t improved one bit between them as evident from Afridi’s recent revelation.
Speaking on Pakistani actor Momin Saqib’s YouTube show Had Kar Di, Afridi was asked whether he could provoke Gambhir a lot during his playing days.
Ghambir is different from rest of Indian Players
In reply, the Pakistan great said it was a usual tactic in cricket and claimed that Gambhir was different from rest of the Indian players and had that same kind of reputation in his national team as well.
“These things go on cricket. It’s normal. And I feel it has been more hyped up in social media. Who different kisam ka character hain, aam players se thoda alag hain (He has a different character from that of normal players). His reputation is the same in Team India as well. It is not like it was only with me…he…I feel we should discuss more positive things in this show,” Afridi stated.
The anchor then asked Afridi to mention one positive aspect of Gambhir and the former was full of praise for the latter’s batting.
Gambhir is an Outstanding Player
Afridi said: “Very few Indian batters I seen having such good timing with the bat. He is an outstanding player.”
Gautam Gambhir represented India in 58 Tests, 147 ODIs and 37 T20Is. He amassed more than 10,000 runs across formats with 20 centuries. He was also part of India’s 2007 T20 World Cup and 2011 ODI World Cup triumphs.
Afridi Career
On the other hand, Shahid Afridi played 27 Tests, 398 ODIs and 99 T20Is for Pakistan. He scored over 10,000 runs and claimed 541 wickets in international cricket. Afridi also played a key role in Pakistan’s 2009 T20 World Cup victory.
“His reputation is same in Team India,” Shahid Afridi opens up on his feud with Gautam Gambhir
Afridi and Gambhir were known for their fierce rivalry both on and off the field during their playing days.
ASC Priya