4 Biggest Cricket Controversies Involving Gautam Gambhir

Cricket is the most followed sport in India. Indian cricketing history has witnessed many controversies involving famous Indian cricketers who have rocked the sport and have been a big talking point amongst millions of cricket fans. However, the Indian media always keeps track of our Indian cricket players for their behaviour on and off the field. Star India opener Gautam Gambhir definitely has contributed a lot to the history of Indian cricket, but he has not been a fan favourite or media favourite. He is one of the few match-winners that India has produced who does not get that much credit compared to the other legends of the Indian cricket team. Gambhir played pivotal roles in helping India lift the 2007 T20 World Cup and 2011 ODI World Cup titles, especially in the finals. In this blog, we take a look at some of the biggest cricket controversies involving Gautam Gambhir.

4 biggest cricket controversies involving Gautam Gambhir

1. Face-off between Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli rocks IPL

It all started at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, with Gautam Gambhir having a verbal exchange with Moises Henriques after the two collided as Gambhir was going for a quick single. Later in the game, Gambhir and Virat Kohli had a go at each other and had to be physically separated by a third Delhi boy, Rajat Bhatia. Three years later, at the same venue, Yusuf Pathan and Andre Russell gave KKR a come-from-behind win, and Gambhir showed his emotions by kicking a chair in the dugout, an act for which he was fined 15% of his match fee. The rivalry between Virat Kohli and Gambhir was reignited in the previous season when RCB played against Lucknow Super Giants, whose mentor was Gambhir. However, this year, Kohli and Gambhir have resolved their conflict from last season, as they exchanged hugs and handshakes during the first innings of match 10 in the IPL 2024 season. Gambhir is often considered the unsung Indian cricket hero who does not get that much credit compared to the other legends of the Indian cricket team.

2. Gautam Gambhir's 'obscene' gesture Asia Cup 2023

During the Asia Cup 2023, former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir, who was present in the stadium as part of the Asia Cup broadcasting team, seemed to lose his cool due to the crowd's persistent chanting of Virat Kohli's name. When Gautam Gambhir expressed anger and raised his middle finger, the crowd responded with enthusiastic chants of 'Kohli, Kohli.' This incident was captured on video, causing it to circulate widely among the media circle, with many people taking to social media condemning the BJP MP for his 'embarrassing' action. When asked about his viral video during Asia Cup 2023, former cricketer and BJP MP Gautam Gambhir says, "What is shown on social media has no truth in it because people show whatever they want to show. The truth about the video that went viral is that if you raise anti-India slogans and speak about Kashmir, then the person before you will obviously react and not smile and leave. There were 2-3 Pakistanis there who were speaking anti-India things and things on Kashmir. So, it was my natural reaction. I can't hear anything against my country. So, that was my reaction..." Gambhir told mediapersons.

3. Gautam Gambhir allegedly calls Sreesanth a 'fixer'

The Legends League Cricket (LLC) witnessed a fiery altercation between two former Indian cricket teammates, Gautam Gambhir and S Sreesanth, on December 7. The incident took place during an Eliminator match between the Gambhir-led India Capitals and the Gujarat Giants. Tensions were quite visible when Gambhir allegedly called the Gujarat Giants pacer a 'fixer' during the match. This incident is one of the top Gautam Gambhir cricket fights. With Gambhir and his way of cricket, more often than not, things go south. In the second over, Gambhir hit a six and a four against Sreesanth. Then, the latter bowled a dot ball, after which there was an exchange of words between the two. The umpires and teammates had to step in to separate the duo, who are both known to wear their hearts on their sleeves.

4. Gautam Gambhir and MS Dhoni's 2011 World Cup winning six

The Gautam Gambhir vs MS Dhoni debate was the talk of the town after Gambhir's "hero worship culture" comments about Indian cricket went viral. Gambhir has been among the cricket updates for being against the hero worship of selective individuals way more than the team's achievements in Indian cricket, which he believes is because of the fans misguided by the social media and the broadcasters. Gambhir, who top-scored for India in the 2011 ODI World Cup final with a crucial 97-run knock in a stiff run chase against Sri Lanka, still can't understand why MS Dhoni is credited for winning the World Cup for India. Gambhir said MS Dhoni's 2011 World Cup winning six, which has been celebrated by fans and experts alike, was not the only reason why India won the 2011 ODI World Cup.