Gautam Gambhir is definitely one of the best opening batsmen in India and has been termed as the best mixture of class with aggression. Gautam Gambhir helped India twice in Lifting the ICC World Cup, first in 2007 against Pakistan with his 75 in just 54 balls during the T20 World Cup finals and then in 2011 ICC World Cup final against Sri Lanka with his crucial knock of 97 runs off 122 balls.
But when it comes to Indian Premier League, we have seen another side of Gautam Gambhir that has made him one hell of an all-round package on International cricket and that is, his leadership qualities. Two Delhi Lads, Gambhir and Virat Kohli, are famous for their on-field aggression and while the latter is driving the International side, Gautam Gambhir has seen huge success in IPL by winning the title twice, in 2012 and 2014, for Kolkata Knight riders.
During a match between KKR and RCB in IPL 2013, these two were engaged in an ugly spat after Virat’s dismissal that came as a shock to many. Why are we telling you this? Well, the same aggression, according to rumors, cost Gautam Gambhir his International birth when MS Dhoni was the Indian skipper. First, the then-captain was criticized for allegedly forcing Virender Sehwag out of the team and it is said that the same issue caused a heated conversation between the two. Moreover, Gautam Gambhir’s drop in Test and Limited overs’ performance forced him to keep mum about the controversy.
The former Indian opener has come a long way now is relishing his new innings as the captain of two-time IPL winners KKR. In IPL 2017 too, Kolkata Knight Riders have emerged as one the strongest outfit, standing at No. 2 with 10 points.
Talking about KKR’s IPL 2017, during a conversation with Jatin Sapru, Gautam Gambhir was asked a question and his answer might come as a surprise for you.
Gautam Gambhir was asked to name a captain under whom he enjoyed playing the most and he picked none other than MS Dhoni.
Watch the Conversation Here:
( Video Courtesy: Star Sports )
After playing under the leadership of other captains like Sourav Ganguly, Virender Sehwag and Rahul Dravid, Gautam Gambhir still thinks that MS Dhoni was the best skipper that he played with, and this might come as surprise to those who think that Dhoni caused KKR captain, his berth in the national team.
Interestingly, During the ICC World Cup 2011 post-match presentation, Dhoni, while accepting the Man of the Match award, in no uncertain terms, said that this award “should have” gone to Gautam Gambhir.
However, there is another side to his statement. Virat Kohli is not going from his best of forms since the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and the downfall has continued in IPL 2017. Moreover, being MS Dhoni’s successor, he has been subjected to a somewhat biased criticism which has divided Indian Cricket fans. People are saying that since Gautam Gambhir has not forgotten the ugly spat with Virat Kohli, he took MS Dhoni’s name to humiliate his former teammate even more.
However, people say, what they say and one just needs to cherish the moment he is living in. Coming to MS Dhoni, he has a point to prove in the ongoing IPL 2017 and the upcoming Champions Trophy, in order to prove the #DhoniDropped movement wrong.