Renowned Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir, a key figure in the nation’s cricketing success, recently shared a surprising revelation about his favorite batting partner in white-ball cricket, eliciting waves of nostalgia among cricket enthusiasts. Despite having shared the crease with cricket legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag, Gambhir unveiled that his preferred companion at the crease was none other than the former captain, MS Dhoni.
Known for his reserved demeanor, Gambhir’s disclosure added a new layer to his cricketing journey, which began in 2003 with his debut for the Indian cricket team in an ODI against Bangladesh. Over the years, he not only proved to be a dependable batter but also had the honor of captaining India in international cricket from 2010 to 2011. His crucial contributions to India’s World Cup victories in 2007 and 2011 have solidified his legacy in cricketing history.
Gambhir’s significant innings, such as his memorable 54-ball 75 in the inaugural ICC World Twenty20 final against Pakistan in 2007 and his resilient knock of 97 in the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup final against Sri Lanka, have highlighted his prowess as a match-winner.
“My favourite batting partner was MS Dhoni”: Gautam Gambhir
In the midst of discussions about India’s recent loss in the 2023 ODI World Cup final against Australia, Gambhir surprised many by naming MS Dhoni as his favorite white-ball cricket batting partner. Contrary to popular belief, he emphasized that despite partnerships with other greats like Sehwag, it was playing alongside Dhoni that he cherished the most, especially in white-ball cricket.
“My favorite batting partner was MS Dhoni. People think that it was Virender Sehwag, but I actually love playing more with Dhoni, especially in white-ball cricket. We shared big partnerships.”
Gambhir was quoted saying by Times Now.
The Gambhir-Dhoni partnership, instrumental in India’s 2011 World Cup triumph, showcased their deep understanding, resilience, and complementary playing styles, further solidifying MS Dhoni’s significance in India’s cricketing journey.
Gautam Gambhir returns to Kolkata Knight Riders as mentor in IPL 2024
Gautam Gambhir is set to make a homecoming to the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) as a “Mentor” for the upcoming 2024 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), as announced by the two-time champions on Wednesday.
The former KKR skipper, Gambhir, will be collaborating with head coach Chandrakant Pandit to bring his wealth of experience back to the team. Gambhir, who was an integral part of KKR from 2011 to 2017, played a pivotal role in leading the team to two IPL titles in 2012 and 2014. Additionally, under his captaincy, KKR secured a runner-up finish in the Champions League T20 in 2014.
Expressing his sentiments about the return, Gambhir stated, “I am not an emotional person, and not many things move me. But this is different. This is back to where it all started. Today, there is a lump in my throat and fire in my heart as I think about slipping into that purple and gold jersey once again. I am not only coming back to KKR but I am coming back to the city of joy. I am back. I am hungry. I am number 23. Ami KKR.”
KKR co-owner Shah Rukh Khan expressed his enthusiasm about Gambhir’s return, saying, “Gautam has always been part of the family, and this is our Captain coming back home in a different avatar as a ‘Mentor.’ He was sorely missed, and now we all look forward to Chandu Sir and Gautam instilling the never-say-die spirit and sportsmanship they stand for, creating magic with Team KKR.” The reunion of Gambhir with KKR is anticipated to bring a renewed vigor and a touch of magic to the team’s upcoming IPL campaign.
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