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Shahid Afridi said Gautam Gambhir has had issues with many players and not just him.
Gautam Gambhir and Shahid Afridi (PTI)
Shahid Afridi and Gautam Gambhir have had a strenuous relationship over the years, butting heads on and off the field.
In 2007 the pair had a verbal altercation forcing the on-field umpire to intervene. It all began when the Indian opening batter collided with Afridi while taking a quick single in the 20th over. Both had an intense before on-field umpire Ian Gould’s separated the two cricketers. Afridi and Gambhir were reportedly fined for their spat.
Their on-field spate turned into an ugly feud with the two exchanging jibes on social media and elsewhere with Afridi even mentioning that incident in his autobiography.
In a recent interview, Afridi opened up on his relationship with Gambhir, as the former Pakistan cricketer said the current Indian head coach has had issues with many players and not just him.
“It was not just with me that Gautam had it. It happened with other players as well, players from Australia, South Africa, England, etc. But the thing between me and Gautam was highlighted by the media,” Afridi told Pakistan’s Geo News.
“Honestly speaking, I had tweeted that India should come to Pakistan and on that some Indian media declared me part of the Taliban,” he added.
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Gambhir has not had the best of starts to his tenure as India’s head coach but said only time will tell a clearer picture.
Laying down his verdict, Afrida said: “Gautam has been the coach of the Kolkata Knight Riders and won, which means he has delivered something that the team won. Now has the responsibility of coaching the Indian team. Coaching the national team is a very big responsibility. He has been appointed recently. Every system takes time to take effect.”
“If it is any person, I say give him time at the least,” he added.
