Former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir is known to be one of the fierce fighters on a cricket field. He has involved in verbal volleys with many opposition cricketers during a game. His on-field spat with Virat Kohli during IPL 2013 game between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) grabbed a lot of attention.
Recalling the incident, Gambhir said that he was absolutely fine despite then young Kohli losing his temper after he was dismissed by the pacer Laxmipathy Balaji. The cricketer-turned-commentator further added that he likes players who are competitive on the field.
Speaking on a chat with Jatin Sapru on his YouTube channel, Gautam Gambhir said:
“That’s OK, I am absolutely fine with it and I expect him to be like that. I am like that. I like that contest, I like people who are competitive. MS Dhoni is a competitor in his own way, Virat is a competitor in his own way.”
He added:
“Sometimes when you are leading the side, you have to do it even if you don’t want to do it because you want your team to play the way you want. As a leader, sometimes you are not thinking about personal relationships with the other guy [but] just because you are leading a team, you have to do it.”
Meanwhile, the umpires had to intervene to stop the cricketers going at each other and tempers flared inside the ground.
“There was nothing personal” – Gautam Gambhir on verbal due with Virat Kohli
The Lucknow Super Giants mentor further stated that there was nothing personal back then and there is nothing even. Gambhir further praised Virat Kohli for being the cricketer he is now.
“That’s why there was nothing personal [then] and there never will be personal against Virat Kohli. And I say it again and again that what he’s achieved, I am absolutely not surprised. That’s the kind of player he was when we saw him early but what he’s transformed into, I think from a fitness point of view and the way he’s worked on his skills is tremendous,” Gautam Gambhir concluded.
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