‘I'll be the first one standing next to him’ – Gautam Gambhir quashes rumours of rift with MS Dhoni

Former Indian batter Gautam Gambhir has opened up about his rumoured rift with ex-teammate MS Dhoni. Known for his outspoken personality, Gambhir doesn’t hold back in making bold statements. On numerous occasions, the southpaw has also criticized Dhoni’s strategy and decision making. The same led to speculations of bad blood between the two. However, Gambhir has now quashed all such rumours, saying he has a lot of mutual respect for the former Indian skipper.

Notably, Gambhir and Dhoni, who started their international career around the same time, have played a lot of cricket together. On multiple occasions, in fact, they stitched up match-winning partnerships for the Indian team. However, Gambhir’s off-field statements had rife rumours of a rift between the two. Back in 2012 during a tri-series in Australia, the southpaw took a dig at Dhoni’s knack of taking the game to the last over.

I have so much of mutual respect for MS Dhoni: Gautam Gambhir

He has also criticized Dhoni’s captaincy on several occasions. However, Gambhir has made it crystal clear that he doesn’t have anything against the legendary wicketkeeper-batter. He even stated that he’ll be the first one standing beside Dhoni when the latter needs.

“See I have so much of mutual respect for him and it’ll always remain. I’ve said it on air, I’ll say it on your channel, I can say it anywhere in front of 138 crore people, that if ever in need, I hope he’s never in need, but if ever in need in life, I’ll be the first one standing next to him because of what he’s done for Indian cricket, what he’s as a human being,” said Gambhir on Jatin Sapru’s YouTube show ‘Over and Out.’

While Gambhir, who’ll be mentoring new team Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2022, admitted there can be difference in opinions between the duo, he clarified that it has nothing to do with the respect.

“See we can have differences in opinion, you might look at the game a different way, I might look at the game in a different way. I’ve got my own opinions, he’s got his own opinion. I’ve actually been the vice-captain the longest time when he was the captain… We’ve been rivals on the field when we played for our respective teams. But I’ve got so much mutual respect for him, for the kind of person, the kind of cricketer he is,” he added.