The fierce rivalry between former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir and former Pakistani all-rounder Shahid Afridi has been one of the most talked-about feuds in cricket history. What began as intense on-field clashes has now spilled over to social media, keeping fans engaged in the never-ending drama.
Recently, Afridi reignited the controversy by taking a dig at Gambhir’s personality and achievements. During an interview, the former Pakistani cricketer criticized Gambhir’s attitude, even going so far as to claim that he has no personality at all. The remarks instantly sparked reactions from cricket fans on both sides of the border.
Afridi’s criticism of Gambhir, however, is not new. In his autobiography, the former Pakistan captain previously took a swipe at Gambhir’s nationalistic stance on social media and belittled his cricketing records. Afridi wrote:
“(Gautam Gambhir) and his attitude problem. He, who has no personality. He, who is barely a character in the great scheme of cricket. He has no great records, just a lot of attitude. He behaves like he’s a cross between Don Bradman and James Bond.”
These remarks did not sit well with Gambhir, who has never been one to back down from a confrontation. The former Indian opener, known for his fierce and unapologetic attitude, was quick to fire back with an epic response on Twitter.
Gambhir reminded Afridi of one of the most significant moments in cricket history—the 2007 T20 World Cup final between India and Pakistan. Taking a direct dig at Afridi’s performance in that match, Gambhir tweeted:
“Someone who doesn’t remember his age, how will he remember my records! OK @SAfridiOfficial let me remind you one: 2007 T20 WC final, Ind Vs Pak – Gambhir 75 off 54 balls Vs Afridi 0 off 1 ball. Most importantly, we won the Cup. And yes, I have attitude towards liars, traitors & opportunists.”
Gambhir’s response quickly gained traction, with Indian cricket fans hailing his wit and straightforwardness. His tweet not only highlighted his crucial knock in the final but also subtly pointed out Afridi’s infamous history of inconsistencies regarding his age, a topic that has often been ridiculed in the cricketing world.
The Gambhir-Afridi rivalry has always been fiery, with the two players engaging in heated exchanges during their playing days. Whether it was their aggressive confrontation in the 2007 ODI series or their frequent war of words post-retirement, the tension between the two has never truly subsided.