The rivalry between two Asian giants India and Pakistan is one of the fiercest ones in international cricket as they have engaged several times in heated arguments. Shahid Afridi, one of the legendary all-rounders from Pakistan has revealed his on-field banters with Gambhir during the 2007 World Cup and ODIs.
Over the years, two notable Asian cricket teams India and Pakistan have participated in countless bitter confrontations. The matches between these heavyweights have been defined by high stakes and intense rivalry, frequently resulting in heated exchanges on the field as players find themselves in passionate verbal fights.
One of the most memorable occasions in an India-Pakistan encounter dates back to 2007 when Gautam Gambhir and Shahid Afridi found themselves in a furious brawl during an ODI. This episode marked the beginning of a long-standing enmity between the two players, which expanded beyond cricket into areas of both sports and politics. In a recent incident, Afridi was challenged about his ability to rile Gambhir during their playing days. The former all-rounder answered by conceding that verbal exchanges are an essential feature of the game. He described Gambhir as having a distinctive personality, distinguishing him apart from others.
“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 highlighted Gambhir’s exceptional ability to time the ball, a skill possessed by only a handful of 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.
Interestingly, earlier this year, an endearing incident unfolded between the two. During a match in the Legends League Cricket held in Doha, Shahid Afridi, and Gautam Gambhir exchanged a warm handshake, capturing a heartfelt moment. Adding to this, Afridi displayed genuine concern for Gambhir’s well-being when the latter was struck while batting. These instances quickly gained traction on social media, resonating with fans. The duo’s remarkable display of sportsmanship in the face of their past differences garnered widespread applause and recognition.
