Gautam Gambhir is enjoying a successful stint in IPL 2024. Under his guidance, Kolkata Knight Riders secured the top position in the league stage. During his playing career, Gambhir led KKR to their inaugural IPL title.
Beyond the IPL, Gambhir boasts an impressive record in the Indian cricket team, playing a pivotal role in India’s victories in the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 ODI World Cup. However, Gambhir has recently opened up about his struggles in age-group tournaments during his formative years in cricket.
In a conversation with Ravichandran Ashwin on a chat show, Gambhir shared insights into his experiences and challenges during his early cricketing years.
“When I was growing up, maybe when I was 12 or 13 years old, I didn’t get selected when I tried out for my first under-14 tournament because I didn’t touch the selector’s feet.”
”From then I promised myself that I will never ever touch anyone’s feet and I do not let anyone touch my feet,” Gambhir told Ashwin on a YouTube show.
Privileged Background Highlighted Amid Setbacks: Gambhir
Gambhir noted that his privileged family background was often brought up whenever he faced setbacks.
“I remember, coming through my career every time I failed whether it be in the under-16, under-19, Ranji Trophy or even initially in my international career, people would say that you come from a (well-off) family, you don’t need to play cricket. You’ve got so many (options), you can join your dad’s business,” he said.
“So that was the biggest perception that was hanging on my head. People did not realise that I wanted it more than them. I wanted to beat that perception.”
”So when I was able to do that, no other perception ever bothers me. The toughest perception for me to beat in my life was that I didn’t want it that hard. I wanted it harder than any of them.”
In the same interview, Gambhir also discussed his rapport with KKR co-owner Shah Rukh Khan.
“It is the trust of the owner as well I have said it many times in the past I think SRK is the best owner I have ever worked with. The reason is not because now I am back with the KKR.”
“The reason is that in the seven years of me captaining, we had not spoken 70 seconds about cricket. He had never asked me a single question on cricket in those seven years. Can you imagine?” Gambhir said on Ravichandran Ashwin’s YouTube channel.
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