Nothing personal against Gautam Gambhir, says Shahid Afridi after controversy over his remarks in the book

‘Game Changer’ the biography of one of Pakistan’s greatest cricketers Shahid Afridi released on April 30. It has been making news since but what stuck was some stern words he used against former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir. In his book, Afridi mentioned that Gambhir was a negative individual and someone with no great records and a lot of attitudes. He also reminisced the Kanpur ODI between India and Pakistan from 2007 where they were engaged in an altercation.

The words didn’t go down well with Gautam by any means. First, he dropped a tweet, saying that Afridi needs a psychiatrist. Thereafter, the 37-year-old said that the former Pakistan cricketer is mentally a 16-year-old. Even previously, the enigmatic cricketers were involved in some heated exchanges on social media. The duo was highly competitive on the field and their on-field relationship wasn’t a hidden secret.

In the meantime, the veteran Afridi has shared some insight on what he said and clarified that he doesn’t have anything against Gambhir. He said that he has some good buddies in the Indian team and he’ll greet Gambhir naturally whenever he meets the Delhi-born southpaw.

“I just want to say when we had that fight in the match it was a mistake by both of us. We realised that later. I have nothing personal against Gambhir. In fact, I have some good friends in the Indian team and I get along with them well off the field. Even if I meet Gambhir somewhere, I will greet him normally as I have nothing in my heart against him,” Afridi was quoted as saying in Times Now.

I have enjoyed each and every tour of India

Afridi heaped praises on Indian cricket because of the love for the game in the country and how they focus on the development of the game and the players. He also mentioned that cricket is a medium to reduce the tension between the two nations, who have been at loggerhead for decades now, more so after the Pulwama Attacks in February.

“I have enjoyed each and every tour of India because of the love and affection I and other Pakistani players have got always there. I admire Indian cricket because of the way the sport is run there and how the money they earn is invested back into the game and players.

I still believe that cricket is one way to reduce tensions between the two countries and we should have regular bilateral matches. Because when we tour each other’s countries there will be more people to people contact and misunderstandings will be lessened,” Shahid Afridi added.

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