News Analysis India

Tag: Gautam Gambhir

  • Gautam Gambhir was a ‘big-match’ player, want to emulate him: Devdutt Padikkal

    By ANI
    NEW DELHI: Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) opening batsman Devdutt Padikkal had a breakthrough Indian Premier League (IPL) season last year and the left-handed batter entered the ongoing edition of the tournament on the back of a successful domestic season.

    Prior to the start of this edition of the IPL, Padikkal tested positive for Covid-19 and he missed RCB’s opening game against Mumbai Indians. He made his way back into the side for the next two games against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH). In the two matches, he managed to score 36 runs and he would now be hoping to get into his groove.

    In an interaction with ANI, Padikkal opened up on his goals in the ongoing season, his bond with stalwarts like Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers and he also spoke about why he idolises 2011 World Cup-winning hero Gautam Gambhir.

    “I do not think so (on him playing the aggressive role since he is opening with Virat). He is such a talented cricketer, he has so much experience, to be playing with him makes my game easier. I am really looking forward to having a really good partnership with him. Definitely, Virat’s passion for the game, the drive for the game he has is remarkable, that is something I have really tried to pick up on,” said the 20-year-old.

    The left-handed batsman had a good build-up to the IPL after he finished the Vijay Hazare Trophy as the second-highest run-getter. He finished with a tally of 737 runs.

    “To be honest, I look at every game as an opportunity to make a mark and that’s what I have continued to do since the past two seasons. That’s why I believe consistency is the most important part of the game right now and that is what I am looking to do, be it the IPL or domestic tournaments. I am just looking to do well in every single game I play and eventually, the selection thing is not in my hands, hopefully someday I will get there,” said Padikkal.

    “We have a balanced RCB side this season and we have a lot of options in every department. It is great to have such a great combination and that knowledge and experience as well. We can see that there is a real togetherness about the team this season,” he added.

    When asked why he idolises Gambhir, Padikkal said: “He was a big-game player and it is one thing I really want to emulate because it is in those crunch situations that those big players come out and do well for the side. He always seemed to do that when the team was under pressure and that is something I would want to do.”

    Speaking about how he sees Glenn Maxwell and AB de Villiers, the left-handed batsman said: “Maxwell is an amazing cricketer, like you have seen in the previous innings, the shots he plays can change the game on its head. To have such game-changers in the squad is really important. It is really great to see how he has started off the tournament and hopefully, he can continue to do this throughout the season.

    “To be honest, I think AB de Villiers keeps things simple in terms of his batting. He does not overcomplicate the situation too much and the sheer skill he has to pull of the shots is remarkable. That is something I have tried asking him and he always says to keep things simple. He is a talented individual and it is great to play alongside him.”

    When asked about the challenges of the bubble life, Padikkal said: “It does get challenging to stay in bio-bubbles over a long period of time. But at the same time, that’s the need of the hour and it is important that everyone stays safe. Staying in bio-bubble, you have to take care of your mental health, you have a lot of time with your teammates, the fact that we have such a team that is together and everyone is enjoying each other’s company, that is something we look forward to every day.”

    On Tuesday, global sports brand PUMA signed a long-term partnership deal with Washington Sundar and Padikkal. As a result, the duo joins PUMA’s impressive roaster of cricketers that include Indian captain Virat Kohli and wicketkeeper-batsman KL Rahul. Commenting on the association, he said: “PUMA is such a global brand and to be part of a brand that is associated with such global superstars, such talented athletes around the world is a great feeling. Hopefully, I can have a long partnership with them. It is great to be acknowledged and know there are people who are there to support and really back you.”

  • MS Dhoni needs to bat higher, you can’t be leading when you’re batting at no.7: Gambhir

    Dhoni generally comes in to bat at number 7 and in the first game against Delhi Capitals he failed to get going and got out for a two-ball duck.

  • Had Glenn Maxwell done well in IPL, he wouldn’t have played for so many teams: Gautam Gambhir

    By ANI
    NEW DELHI: Former India batsman Gautam Gambhir has said that all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has been disappointing throughout his stint at the Indian Premier League (IPL).

    In IPL 2021, Maxwell would be seen representing Virat Kohli-led Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) after he was bought by the franchise for Rs 14.25 crore. In the past, Maxwell has represented Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals and Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings).

    “Had Maxwell done really well in the IPL, he wouldn’t have played for so many franchises, to be honest. He’s played for so many franchises because he’s not been consistent at all. We can’t keep talking about ‘he hasn’t had the freedom’ for the previous franchises he’s played for… when he played for Delhi, he had a lot of freedom. Most of these franchises and coaches – because they think he’s an X-factor – they want to try and provide him with the best platform where he can succeed,” Gambhir told ESPNcricinfo.

    “The most unfortunate thing is that despite getting that platform, he has not succeeded, apart from that one season in 2014 where he set the IPL on fire. Had he done that, I think none of the franchises would have released him. Look at what Andre Russell has done for KKR and the amount of time he’s spent at one franchise,” he added.

    Further elaborating his point on Maxwell, Gambhir said: “The only reason why a franchise releases you is because you haven’t performed. The more franchises you play for, it just shows you haven’t really been able to get settled in any of the franchises. Hopefully, he delivers this time around because every year, he keeps getting more and more money just because he does really well for Australia. So hopefully from RCB’s point of view, he can do really well.”

    “He’s probably got freedom more than any other player in the IPL. I feel he has been very disappointing throughout the IPL, but hopefully, this time around he can turn it,” he added.

    IPL 2021 will commence on April 9 with Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) locking horns in the tournament opener. (ANI)

  • Always felt at home in Bengal: Gambhir ahead of joining BJP campaign in poll-bound state

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: BJP leader and MP Gautam Gambhir who is likely to join party’s campaign in poll-bound West Bengal on Sunday said he always felt at home in the state.

    The former top order Indian batsman is likely to begin campaigning in West Bengal from March 22.

    He will campaign in all eight phases of the assembly polls in the state as well as in three phases of the Assam assembly polls, said an aide of the East Delhi MP.

    This will be Gambhir’s first full-fledged election campaign for the BJP outside Delhi.

    Earlier, he had campaigned for former hockey player Sandip Singh in Haryana assembly polls last year.

    His plans for a visit to Jammu and Kashmir during the district development council (DDC) polls in December 2020 did not materialise.

    Gambhir said he felt “sad and dejected” over West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s remarks that the BJP was a party of “outsiders” and it had no place in the state.

    “Not even for a brief moment was I made to feel that I was an outsider and was not born or brought up in Kolkata or anywhere else in Bengal, that I had not attended Presidency College or Jadavpur University or that I did not have egg rolls from Park Street while growing up.

    “I always felt like a part of this huge and happy family which showered me with love and blessings every time I visited the state,” the former cricketer said.

    Gambhir, under whose captaincy Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) won two finals of the IPL, has a fan following among the youth of the state where polls for 294 assembly seats will begin on March 27.

    The fate of the West Bengal people and the state cannot be decided by bombs and bullets, Gambhir said expressing concern over “incessant and mindless” killings of political workers and violent clashes between parties.

    Multiple reports of bomb making factories working in overdrive have surfaced in recent times, he said.

    “Intimidation, threats and violence have been made new normal by the Left and the Trinamool Congress for decades and it has now become a part of the political culture of Bengal?,” he alleged.

    He said the ruling party is willing to go to any extent to silence any opposition in the state.

    This is not the ethos of Bengal and the voters in the state must make it clear, the BJP leader said.

    People in Bengal have to put their foot down and decide whether they want the rule of “syndicate” or a ‘sonar Bangla’, nepotism or merit, and whether they want crime and corruption or ‘poribortan’, he added.

  • Editorial :- Bhaajapa ke Dhoni, Gambheer, Vishvaas Bhee Honge Staar Prachaarak: Congress ke Saath Kaun?

    It is such a report that Dhoni and Gambhir, the cricket great and Kumar Vishwas, will be the BJP’s star campaigners in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections as well as the candidates. Now the question arises that who will be with the Congress?

    BJP chief Amit Shah met Indian captain MS Dhoni as part of a contact campaign to support the BJP. There is a possibility that they may be the candidate of Lok Sabha from BJP in Jharkhand. In such a situation, Congress can take the support of Yashwant Sinha.

    BJP can replace Leopardi with Gautam Gambhir from New Delhi constituency, in which BJP leadership is not happy with his work as an existing Lok Sabha member. In his tenure he has not seen significant activism.

    A BJP leader said that the report from Meenakshi Lekhi about the land is not good. People of their constituency are not happy with their work and the party leadership has decided that they will not be repeated this time as the New Delhi candidate. Gautam Gambhir, will be the most likely candidate. They have wide acceptance and are known for their social work. They are residents of the same area in Delhi. ”

    Now the question arises that the Congress is against them or what choice do you have with the party? It is possible that in such a situation, Shatrughan Sinha can be brought to the ground. Although it is also said that he can be a candidate for opposition against PM Modi from Varanasi.

    “There is wide acceptability, respect and reliability across the country for both Gambhir and Dhoni, and they are considered as leaders of all sections of the society. They are not only leaders of their respective states but also leaders of the country. Dhoni is currently the captain of the Chennai Super Kings team in the IPL (Indian Premier League) and thus has his reach and support in the southern parts of India. ÓO

    Recently we had seen how serious Gautam Gambhir was when when some anti-national forces tried to play against the country’s integrity against the soldiers. If BJP uses their popularity for canvasing across the country then it will not be surprising now.

    Even MS Dhoni has been attracted to the Indian Army and he is also a para-commando. The entire nation knows that BJP holds complete loyalty to the Indian Army, while the opposition, especially the Congress, has been showing disrespect in respect to the Indian Army and the Army Chief. The surgical sticker has also been tested.

    In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, BJP is trying to include Dhoni and Gambhir in the form of their star campaigners to campaign for the party all over the country.

    Another senior BJP leader said that one of the founding members of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Kumar Vishwas – is also in touch with the party leadership at the center and can get a ticket to contest Lok Sabha elections from Ghaziabad. Uttar Pradesh. Ghaziabad seat is currently the Minister of State for External Affairs (retired) VK Singh, who has expressed the desire to contest from any other Lok Sabha constituency, according to party sources.

    In such a situation, the question is still present in the hands of the Congress against them. The Congress seems to be forced to re-run the UP Congress president in the last Lok Sabha elections, defeating the contestant, Raj Babbar.

    Now it will depend on the public that the BJP’s Dhoni will express his belief with serious and confident or against the BJP’s enemy Sinha.