Gautam Gambhir vs Shahid Afridi: The Unending Off-Field Battle

Gautam Gambhir vs Shahid Afridi: A Rivalry That Refuses to Die

Gautam Gambhir vs Shahid Afridi Fight Story (Image Source: Google)

Cricket Tales (Famous Cricket Fights - Gautam Gambhir vs Shahid Afridi) - Most spats between international cricketers generally end with both parties expressing regret or apologizing at the next available opportunity. However, there is one notable exception that continues to this day. New chapters are regularly added to this ongoing story — the spat between Gautam Gambhir and Shahid Afridi. Their mutual animosity appears as intense as the broader India–Pakistan rivalry. The old adage, "time is the best healer," seems to have failed in both instances.

In 2023, a visibly upset Gautam Gambhir remarked, “Why do they always show my fight (to add spice to the India vs Pakistan clash coverage) with Shahid Afridi?” The answer lies in the enduring nature of their rivalry, which has persisted beyond their retirements and into their current roles. Let us examine the match where this conflict began:

Match Summary
India vs Pakistan, 3rd ODI at Kanpur, November 11, 2007
India: 294 for 6 (Yuvraj 77, Dhoni 49)
Pakistan: 248 (Butt 129, RP Singh 4-63)
Result: India won by 46 runs (with 16 balls remaining)
Player of the Match: Yuvraj Singh

The Confrontation

This was the final series in which India played Test matches against Pakistan. After a warm-up in Delhi, Pakistan — already fatigued from a preceding series against South Africa — traveled to Guwahati and Mohali before arriving in Kanpur. The Indian side, under young captain MS Dhoni, was also undergoing a transition. Dhoni began phasing out senior players and backed Gautam Gambhir in the top order, signaling to fellow Delhi player Virender Sehwag that his place was uncertain.

Apart from the Gambhir–Afridi spat, the Kanpur ODI was otherwise uneventful. Yuvraj Singh scored 77 off 95 balls. Gautam Gambhir, in contrast, made a slow 25 off 49 balls, with just one boundary. Shahid Afridi reportedly taunted Gambhir throughout his innings. Frustrated, Gambhir responded with a volley of verbal abuse. Matters escalated when Gambhir, while completing a single, collided with Afridi. The two engaged in a heated argument, with umpire Ian Gould intervening to prevent physical confrontation. Both players were later fined. Whether Afridi deliberately blocked Gambhir’s path or Gambhir intentionally ran into him remains unclear.

India set a target close to 300. Despite a century from Salman Butt, Pakistan fell short, and India secured the victory.

Aftermath and Escalation

This incident did not fade with time. Both players internalized the conflict and continued referencing it in public forums. Gautam Gambhir became a cricket analyst and later entered politics, serving as a Member of Parliament with the Bharatiya Janata Party. This role offered him multiple platforms to speak on Indo-Pak relations, often critically. Over the years, as bilateral cricket between India and Pakistan ceased, Gambhir and Afridi continued exchanging public barbs, particularly on social media.

Afridi, in his autobiography Game Changer, erroneously attributed the spat to the 2007 Asia Cup, stating:

“I remember the run-in with Gambhir during the 2007 Asia Cup (incorrect) when he completed his single while running straight into me. The umpires had to finish it off or I would have. Clearly, we had a frank bilateral discussion about each other’s female relatives.”

Afridi also made personal remarks, calling Gambhir someone with an “attitude problem,” lacking personality, and with no remarkable records.

“Gambhir behaves like he’s a cross between Don Bradman and James Bond. In Karachi, we call guys like him saryal (burnt up). I like happy, positive people. Aggressive or competitive is fine, but one must be positive — Gambhir wasn’t.”

Gambhir responded by suggesting that Afridi needed psychiatric treatment. At the launch of his book, Afridi again took a dig:

“I think Gautam Gambhir may have some problems. I am working with hospitals and can get him good treatment. The Indian government doesn’t usually grant visas to our people, but I will arrange one for Gautam so that he can receive treatment here.”

In another interview, Gambhir said:

“Some people grow in age, not mentally. Shahid Afridi may be 36 or 37 years old, but he is mentally 16.”

He added:

“My records are open. I became ICC Test Player of the Year, won Test series and World Cups. People will judge what I have done for the country. Some people are mentally unwell and need psychiatric help.”

Conclusion

This feud appears deeply personal and remains unresolved. Both former cricketers are still respected for their contributions to the game, but whether they will reconcile and refrain from further public confrontation remains uncertain.

Disciplinary Action

Following the incident in the third ODI at Kanpur, both players were fined for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct. Match referee Roshan Mahanama fined Afridi 95% and Gambhir 65% of their match fees. Both pleaded not guilty. Mahanama noted in his report:

“Even if the collision was accidental, it was inappropriate. There was a build-up to the incident, and then they stood toe-to-toe, arguing mid-pitch immediately afterward.”