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Gambhir Reminds Afridi An Important Record Refuting Quote In Afridi’s Book

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Gambhir Reminds Afridi An Important Record To Refute Claim In Afridi's Book
Shahid Afridi image by Charaka Ranasinghe, Gautam Gambhir image by Bollywood Hungama (both images via Wikimedia Commons)

The tiff between India’s unsung hero of 2011 ODI World Cup and 2007 T20 World Cup, Gautam Gambhir, and Pakistan’s former captain Shahid Afridi once again came in the limelight on Twitter. The fight sparked as a disrespectful quote about Gautam Gambhir from Shahid Afridi’s autobiography published in 2019 attracted attention on social media. In a tweet, Gambhir hit back on Afridi and his quote. Tagging Afridi in the tweet, he reminded an important record and compared the stats from the 2007 T20 World Cup final. And thus refuted the claims made by Afridi in his book.

The rudely written quote from the book is about how Gambhir has an attitude problem. Afridi further wrote in the book that Gambhir has no great records.

(Gautam Gambhir) and his attitude problem. He, who has no personality. He, who is barely a character in the great scheme of cricket. (Gambhir) He has no great records, just a lot of attitude. He behaves like he’s a cross between Don Bradman and James Bond,” Afridi wrote in his book.

Gambhir who is known for being direct and fearless in his speech both on and off the field decided to give a befitting reply to this claim made by Afridi in his book.

He sent a tweet on the afternoon of April 18, 2020 tagging Shahid Afridi. In the tweet, he compared his and Afridi’s batting stats from the important 2007 T20 World Cup final. He also agreed with Afridi on the attitude thing, further mentioning that he does have an attitude towards liars, traitors, and opportunists. He also took a slight dig at Shahid Afridi’s memory about his own age.

Gambhir wrote on Twitter,

Someone who doesn’t remember his age how will he remember my records! OK @SAfridiOfficial let me remind u one: 2007 T20 WC final, Ind Vs Pak Gambhir 75 off 54 balls Vs Afridi 0 off 1 ball. Most imp: We won the Cup. And yes, I’ve attitude towards liars, traitors & opportunists.

The fights between Shahid Afridi and Gautam Gambhir are not new. We have seen several verbal exchanges between the two stars both on the field and off the field.  Both players were important players for their teams and had made many useful contributions to their sides.

Shahid Afridi, the all-rounder, played 27 Tests for Pakistan. He scored 1716 Test runs at an average of 36.51, hitting 5 centuries and 8 half-centuries and took 48 wickets at a bowling average of 35.60.

On the other hand, the left-hand top-order batsman, Gautam Gambhir played 58 Tests for India, scoring 4154 runs, at an average of 41.95, hitting 9 centuries and 22 half-centuries.

Afridi played in 398 ODIs, scoring 8064 runs at an average of 23.57 (6 centuries and 39 half-centuries) and took 395 wickets.

On the other hand, Gambhir played 147 ODIs, scoring 5238 runs at an average of 39.68 (11 centuries and 34 half-centuries).

When it comes to T20 cricket, Afridi played 99 T20Is, scoring 1416 runs, at a batting average of 17.92 (4 half-centuries) and 98 wickets. While Gambhir played 37 T20Is, scoring 932 runs at an average of 27.41 ( 7 half-centuries).

Clearly both players have good records. Gambhir’s average in all three formats is quite impressive not the best but definitely impressive. And though Afridi’s batting average is not that impressive, he makes up for it with his bowling.

The fans from both sides constantly hit back at each other on Twitter. And no wonder the vibes soon turn negative when such fights start. Fans like me still hope all players start respecting each other both on the field and off the field and also play fairly without sledging, fighting with their cricket skills and not words.

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