The Indian and Pakistani players have had excellent relationships over the years, but in a high-intensity match like this, rivalries are unavoidable. One such rivalry is that of Gautam Gambhir and Shahid Afridi. Since their infamous heated exchange during an India vs. Pakistan ODI in 2007, the two haven’t seen eye to eye. Gambhir and Afridi have tussled over the years, sometimes indirectly and on other occasions while sitting across from each other in studios.
In the first game of the Legends League Cricket (LLC), the two met for the first time in nearly a decade. When Gambhir, captain of the India Maharajas, and Afridi, captain of the Asia Lions, walked out for the toss, they shared the same screen. After Asia Lions won the toss and chose to bat, the two legends exchanged an awkward handshake.
When Gambhir, captain of the India Maharajas, and Afridi, captain of the Asia Lions, walked out for the toss, they shared the same screen. After Asia Lions won the toss and chose to bat, the two legends exchanged an awkward handshake.
Here is the awkward moment between Gautam Gambhir and Shahid Afridi
Shahid Afridi with his smile still teasing Gautam Gambhir ? #LLCT20 pic.twitter.com/292t4yU5X1
— Ahtasham Riaz ?? (@AhtashamRiaz_) March 10, 2023
When Afridi grabbed the ball and bowled to a well-set Gambhir during the second innings, both were trending on Twitter. Afridi bowled 10 balls to Gambhir, who scored 10 runs, including one four, off them.
There was even more interaction between Gambhir and Afridi as the former Pakistan captain checked on his former rival two overs later. As Gambhir, who was hit on the head, took a single off Abdul Razzaq’s bowling and reached the non-striker’s end after a huge LBW appeal was turned down, Afridi asked the batter if he was okay after the blow. Gambhir’s response was a casual shake of the head.
Here is the video ‘
'Big-hearted' Shahid Afridi inquires if Gautam Gambhir is ok after that blow ??#Cricket pic.twitter.com/EqEodDs52f
— Cricket Pakistan (@cricketpakcompk) March 10, 2023
Gambhir was the lone star of the India Maharajas innings, scoring 54 off 39 balls, including seven fours, but his performance was overshadowed by Misbah-Ul-Haq, who won the Player-of-the-Match award with a knock of 73. The Lions defeated the Maharajas by 9 runs. Gambhir’s team finished on 156/8 in a last-over thriller, chasing 166 to win, setting the tone for the rest of the tournament.
