Former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir has recalled the old jibe between him and Ricky Ponting in the Test series in 2008 at home. He rarely shied away from confrontation on the field in his cricket career and also now after retirement, he voices his opinion bluntly.
In a recent episode of Star Sports’ chat’ show Cricket Connected, Gambhir was inquired about the most memorable sledging during his career. “Who did you enjoy sledging the most?” he was asked.
Gambhir answered that he enjoyed the sledging against former Australian captain Ricky Ponting. During the first Test match in 2008, Ricky had provoked Gambhir, saying that he hadn’t set the world on fire. In reply, the Delhi cricketer said he had been the bunny in India.
“Ricky Ponting, maybe. That was in 2008 when Anil Kumble was the captain. In the series when I got my double hundred. In the first Test match, I think which was in Bengaluru, he said something when I was batting,” the 38-year-old recalled.
“He was at silly point, and he said ‘you haven’t set the world on fire’. I said ‘Neither have you in India. To be honest, you have been a bunny’. His record says that as well, he’s been a bunny in India,” Gambhir, who is a currently a BJP MP, further said.
Gautam Gambhir against opposition:
Gautam Gambhir had several infamous episodes of confrontation with the opposition players. He got into a verbal altercation with Shahid Afridi during an ODI match against Pakistan in Kanpur in 2007.
The World Cup winner also got into a heated exchange with Virat Kohli during an encounter between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kolkata Knight Riders at IPL 2013. He also found himself in trouble after allegedly elbowing Australia cricketer Shane Watson during a Test match in Delhi in 2008.