India and Pakistan’s rivalry dates back to the partition of India in 1947. Since then, both nations have had many wars and political and diplomatic outrages. These things have affected sports too, as both teams always play with extra hunger and pressure to win the game against each other. However, in recent times, a friendly bond between Indian and Pakistani fans has been phenomenal.
Their on-and-off-field bond has won the hearts of netizens and fans. Meanwhile, former India cricketer Gautam Gambhir thinks differently. He slammed the Indian team and said that players should leave their personal relationships outside the field. Gambhir says that aggression and hunger to win are missing in the Indian team setup due to the personal bonds of the players.
Recalling his playing time, Gambhir said, “When you play on the field for your national team, you must leave the friendship outside the boundary ropes. Having a game face is necessary. Friendship should stay outside. Even during friendly conversations with the opponents, we had aggression in our minds because you are representing our country and trying to win the game for them.
You are representing 140 crore Indians: Gautam Gambhir.
Further, Gambhir said that players can have friendships with opponents but don’t bring them up during the game. He said, “You are free to be friends with the opponents after those 6-7 hours… But those 6-7 hours are very important because it isn’t just about you or the jersey you are wearing—you are representing 140 crore Indians.” Notably, two weeks ago, Gambhir said that India should not play Pakistan.
Meanwhile, Gambhir also bashed Mohammed Kaif’s idea of playing KL Rahul ahead of Ishan Kishan in the ODI World Cup. Gambhir said, “Had Kohli or Rohit made those four consecutive fifties, would you have said the same thing about KL Rahul? When you are preparing to win a World Cup, you don’t look at a name; you look at the form of a player that could win you the trophy. Notably, the 25-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman hit a half-century against Pakistan on Saturday.
Here is how fans reacted to Gautam Gambhir’s comments:
Gambhir Saab ka stand har ek series ke saath change hota hai ?? pic.twitter.com/zwm9STh5qC
— Ayush Singh (@Ayush_Singh8) September 3, 2023
Aggression of India Team is Missing ?
— Shailendra Choudhary (@SheluChoudhary) September 3, 2023
he spoke sense?
— Apratim. (@subtlysomebody) September 3, 2023
The aggression is missing nowadays ???
— Saumya Tripathi (@SanskariSaumyat) September 3, 2023
He is still living in the past!
— The Second Act (@WahSaeenWah) September 3, 2023
They both are playing like a domestic matches, dude this is AsiaCup2023, you have to give ?. Show your aggressive game not aggression.
— Amaan ? (@gymboyamaan) September 3, 2023
High time that team India realise it
— Amit Shah (Parody) (@Motabhai012) September 3, 2023
Completely agree?
Be as friendly as u like "before" & "After" the matchOnce the Coin is flipped, players in any int'l match(Not only IndvPak) should go hard at each other
They must be ruthless untill last bowl is bowledFans don't watch u to see giggling & hugging opponents
— Danish Fayaz (@GuessWh98609542) September 3, 2023
Bhai ye Kohli vaise bhut agression dikhayega , gambhir ke against to khoob game ke baad bhi chaurd mein rhega , hath bhi ni milayega , ab jb aaj rauf ki badtameezi dekhne ke baad bhi , bda hass ke mil rha sbse !! Ab kha gya agression? Ye agression bs apne logo ke khilaaf hi h??
— Sahil Bhragudev (@SBhragudev) September 3, 2023
Yes okay
— Barbie girl (@Barbie_girl68) September 3, 2023
Achchi khasi rivalry ka kachra kr rha h Kohli ?
— W???????_09? (@Lonewolf09_) September 3, 2023
@imVkohli abhi bhi ipl Wale mindset mein hai lagta hai paise bhut kama liye
Use sare foreigners apne lagne Lage Hain uske asli rivals lagta hai india mein hai— BBKING (@mzeebella) September 3, 2023
Yes player should play like WWE
— anup is back (@anup_fire) September 3, 2023
@imVkohli kuch zyada hi friendly ho gya
— BBKING (@mzeebella) September 3, 2023
Lord Gautam straight to the Point
— Sudden Thought (@suddenthought0) September 3, 2023
