The rivalry between India and Pakistan stands as one of the most intense rivalries in international cricket, marked by numerous fierce battles over the years. The high-stakes nature of their clashes often ignites heated exchanges on the field, with players engaging in intense verbal confrontations.
One particularly memorable on-field altercation occurred between Gautam Gambhir and Shahid Afridi during a 2007 ODI. This incident has fueled an enduring feud between the two players, extending beyond cricket into both sports and political matters. Recently, Afridi was questioned about his ability to provoke Gambhir during their playing days. He acknowledged that sledging is a natural part of the game and highlighted Gambhir’s unique personality, characterizing him as distinct from his peers.
Shahid Afridi said
“These things go on cricket. It’s normal. And I feel it has been more hyped up in social media. Woh different kisam ka character hain, aam players se thoda alag hain (He has a different character from that of normal players). His reputation is the same in Team India as well. It is not like it was only with me…he…I feel we should discuss more positive things in this show,” Afridi said on the show ‘Had Kar Di’ with Momin Saqib.
Continuing his admiration for Gambhir, Afridi added that he possesses exceptional timing skills when it comes to batting, a trait that is relatively rare among Indian batsmen.
“Very few Indian batters I’ve seen having such good timing with the bat. He is an outstanding player,” the former Pakistan skipper added.
It’s worth noting that earlier this year, the two players shared a touching moment that caught everyone’s attention. During a match in the Legends League Cricket event in Doha, they were seen shaking hands, reflecting a heartwarming display of camaraderie. In another instance during the same game, Afridi displayed a gesture of concern when he checked on Gambhir after the latter was hit while batting. These instances quickly gained traction on social media platforms, with many applauding their sportsmanship that transcended their personal differences. Their actions were widely praised as a testament to their ability to put aside their rivalry and show mutual respect on and off the field.
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