While the rivalry between sportsmen is not uncommon, one of the most unique, as well as the most aggressive rivalries is that of between Pakistani cricketer Shahid Afridi and Indian cricketing star Gautam Gambhir. Be it their fiery exchange at Kanpur in 2007, or the occasional rivalry online, none of the two have tried to bury the hatchet.
Continuing with the war of words Gautam Gambhir told India Today during a roadshow in New Delhi on Sunday, “I am sure he will sell his book better. Some People grow in age not mentally. Shahid Afridi may be 36, 37 years old (Afridi is 39). But he is 16 mentally.”
Gambhir also added, “My records are in open. Becoming ICC Test player of the year, winning Test series and World Cup. People will decide what I have done for the country. Some people are really mentally ill and so need psychiatrist treatment.”
It all started when Shahid Afridi took the rivalry to a new low, as he mocked Gautam Gambhir and his cricketing abilities. In his autobiography titled ‘Game Changer’, Shahid had alleged that Gautam Gambhir did not make any records, and was just an average cricketer with a lot of attitude.
To quote an excerpt from his book, “Some rivalries were personal, some professional. First the curious case of Gautam Gambhir. Oh poor Gautam. He and his attitude problem. He who has no personality. He who is barely a character in the great scheme of cricket. He who has no great records, just a lot of attitude.”
Afridi didn’t just stop at that. He also added, “Gambhir behaves like he’s a cross between Don Bradman and James Bond. In Karachi, we call guys like him saryal (grumpy). It’s simple, I like happy and positive people. Doesn’t matter if they are aggressive or competitive, but you have to be positive and Gambhir wasn’t.”
Gautam Gambhir taking on Afridi in his own style had tweeted, “Sahid Afridi you are a hilarious man!!! Anyway, we are still granting visas to Pakistanis for medical tourism. I will personally take you to a psychiatrist.”
@SAfridiOfficial you are a hilarious man!!! Anyway, we are still granting visas to Pakistanis for medical tourism. I will personally take you to a psychiatrist.
— Gautam Gambhir (Modi Ka Parivar) (@GautamGambhir) May 4, 2019
Reacting to Gambhir’s ‘psychiatrist’ remark, Afridi said he would arrange visa for the ‘treatment’ of the former India opener in Pakistan. “I think Gautam Gambhir may have some problems. I am working with hospitals and I can get him very good treatment here,” Afridi said.
Gautam Gambhir with his skills to snub Afridi in the field with his magnificent shots have just displayed that he can do the same outside the field too. This is not the first time the cricketer turned politician had taken on his opponents with such class. A couple of weeks ago, when separatist leader and ex Jammu and Kashmir CM Mehbooba Mufti took a dig on his career, Gautam replied back in style, and exposed her hypocrisy following which Mehbooba herself blocked his account and tried to portray herself as a victim. We hope that Gautam Gambhir continues to slay his political opponents like this and wins the mandate of his constituency as well.