Former India captain Gautam Gambhir has seemingly chosen not to add to the fire after he was involved in a flared-up on-field exchange with former fast bowler S Sreesanth. The on-field altercation took the attention away from Gambhir’s cracking half-century in a Legends League Eliminator game between India Capitals and Chris Gayle-led Gujarat Giants.
The umpires had to intervene to stop Gambhir and Sreesanth who were having a go at each other at the striker’s end on Wednesday, December 6 at the Lalabhai Contractor Stadium in Surat.
Sreesanth, in an explosive interview later in the day, accrued Gambhir of using ‘very rude’ language during the on-field altercation and labelled him ‘Mr. Fighrer’. The former Kerala fast bowler did not stop there as he accused Gambhir of not respecting his own ex-teammates, including Virender Sehwag and Virat Kohli.
As it turned out, Gambhir took to social media on Thursday morning and shared a cryptic note, hinting that he has played down the controversy stired up by Sreesanth.
“Smile when the world is all about attention,” Gambhir said on social media platform X, with a throwback photo of him cheekily smiling.
Sreesanth had accused Gambhir of initiating the conflict without provocation and that Gambhir has often avoided speaking positively about fellow cricketers, including Virat Kohli, even when prompted during broadcast discussions.
In the end, Gambhir’s India Capitals went on to win the Eliminator after posting 223 runs in 20 overs. Chris Gayle’s 84 was not enough as Gujarat Giants lost by 12 runs.
Gambhir, like he has done in the past, stepped up in the knockout game, hitting a quick-fire 50 and leading from the front as captain.
The Legends League Cricket T20 tournament involves former cricketers going up against each other. Gambhir’s India Capitals will face Mohammad Kaif-led Manipal Tigers in the Qualifier 2 in Surat on December 7.
The final of the Legends League Cricket T20 tournament will be held on December 9 at the same venue. Suresh Raina’s Urbanisers Hyderabad await the second finalists.
