“Dosti bahaar rehni chahiye” – Gautam Gambhir blasts Indian players for being friendly with Pakistan players after their Asia Cup 2023 clash

India’s former top order batsman Gautam Gambhir was left shocked and surprised as he witnessed the Indian team players having fun chats with the opponents (Pakistan players) in between the game as rain played spoilsport. He believes the team players should be friendly with the opposite side outside the field while being aggressive on the side as they represent 1 billion people. 

Gambhir further believed that the popularity of franchise cricket has changed the players’ mindset. Since a few years ago, fans would never have witnessed players across different countries exchanging fist bumps during the match. While recalling his own days, Gambhir talked about how healthy sledging among players is acceptable unless it gets personal about someone’s personal life or their family, it has been a long practice and has been done by Pakistan, Australia, and many more. 

Gautam Gambhir on India’s friendly equation with Pakistan’s players 

“When you play on the field for your national team, you must leave the friendship outside the boundary ropes. Game face hona zaroori hai. Dosti bahaar rehni chahiye. (It is important to have a game face. The friendship can remain outside during the match). There has to be an aggression in the eyes of both sets of players. You can be as friendly as you want after those six or seven hours of cricket,” said Gautam Gambhir. 

“Those hours are very important, because you’re not just representing yourself, you’re representing a nation of over a billion. These days you see players of rival teams patting each other on the back and exchanging fist bumps during a match. You would never see that a few years ago. Aap friendly match hi khel rahe ho,” added Gautam Gambhir. 

“(You can) sledge, but don’t get personal. You have to stay within your limits. Don’t involve someone’s family member or get too personal. Banter is fine. In games against Australia and Pakistan, there used to be banter,” recalled Gautam Gambhir.