In the World of cricket, there are players who capture the limelight and receive widespread recognition for their contributions to the game. However, there are also those who quietly go about their business, making significant impacts without getting the credit they deserve. Where stars shine and controversies linger, there is one man who is frequently in the spotlight. That man is none other than, Gautam Gambhir, the charismatic opener with an exceptional batting ability at his display. In a recent interview with Harsha Bhogle, Indian spinner R Ashwin, highlighted Gambhir’s contribution to the Indian team and shed light on why he is one of the most misunderstood cricketers in India.

The Outspoken Critic

Gambhir is quite outspoken and never shies away from speaking his mind in public. It is not uncommon for his unfiltered comments to spark debates and make headlines among cricket fans. The share of disagreement he had with cricketing legends like Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, in recent times have overshadowed his contribution to the Indian team. He always loves to take a stand irrespective of what people will think. Despite the media frenzy and heated discussion, it is important to show the other face of Gautam Gambhir.

Team player

He has always maintained his stance that cricket is not an individual sport rather it’s a team sport, if a team wins then the credit should go to all the players and if the team loses then don’t blame an individual. “Gambhir was not only a phenomenal player but he was also a selfless individual who always prioritised the team’s interest ahead of personal milestones and played a vital role in mentoring the youngsters”, Ashwin said. The exceptional performances Gambhir made under the captaincy of MS Dhoni in two ICC World Cup finals are one of the most compelling justifications for his eminence. It is astonishing that Gambhir was not given player of the match at the 2007 ICC T20 World Cup final against Pakistan in Johannesburg, despite his heroics. In the 2011 ICC World Cup final in Mumbai against Sri Lanka, Gambhir scored a brilliant 97 runs in pressure situations that led India to victory, but once again he was denied Player of the Match honours.

It is evident from these examples that Gambhir is capable of taking on colossal pressure in the biggest stages in cricket, and that his consistency and composure in the World Cup finals are a testament to his big-match skills.

Career and statistics

He made his international debut in 2003 against Bangladesh and quickly established himself as a talented opening batsman. Gambhir’s ability to anchor the innings and play according to the situation earned him a permanent place in the Indian team. In order to truly appreciate Gautam Gambhir’s impact on Indian cricket, it is important to dig into his statistics. He has played 58 Test matches, 147 ODI’s and 37 T20i’s during his 12-year-long international career. During this period, he accumulated an impressive 4154 runs in Tests, 5238 runs in ODI’s and 932 runs in T20i’s. And not to forget his outstanding IPL performance with 4218 runs in 154 matches.

Legacy

Although Gautam Gambhir retired from international cricket in 2018, his impact on Indian cricket remains indelible. His contributions have left a lasting legacy for the future generations of cricketers. Despite the lack of recognition he received during his playing days, R Ashwin’s recent acknowledgement of Gambhir’s contribution has brought the spotlight back on the often-misunderstood cricketer.

In the latest episode of Kutti stories with Ash podcast, R Ashwin and Harsha Bhogle spoke about the 2011 World Cup final, how Gambhir had taken the onus on himself and played one of the finest knocks of his career. Ashwin said, “He is the greatest team man, the fighter on the field, he is a nice guy. He is in your face, he might not be too expressive, but he is out there to fight and win the battle. He is not only a fantastic player of spin but he was a great reader of the game. He didn’t receive the credit he deserves”.