Former India cricketer Gautam Gambhir made a shocking revelation about his early days as a cricketer. He stated that he wasn’t selected for the under-14 tournament team because he didn't touch the selector's feet.
Gautam Gambhir is one of the most clutch players to have played for the Indian cricket team. The left-hander played a massive role in India winning the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 Cricket World Cup. He was the man of the finals as he played stupendously well under pressure.
Gautam Gambhir has etched his name as one of the best players to have played for India. He made his presence felt for India in all three formats of the game and has been one of the main reasons behind the dominance of the team during his playing days.
Gautam Gambhir also captained India and was also successful as the leader of the team. The left-hander was seen as one of the finest top-order batters in the world and had truckloads of runs for the team in all three formats.
During an interaction with Ravichandran Ashwin on his YouTube channel, Gautam Gambhir narrated how he didn’t get selected for the U-14 team because he didn’t greet selectors well. He revealed that at that point he realised he won’t let anyone touch his feet.
Gautam Gambhir recalled that when he rose in the ranks, and sometimes when he didn’t get runs, people used to tell him that he didn’t need to play cricket because he came from a good family. He added:
“When I was growing up, maybe when I was 12 or 13 years old, I didn't get selected when I tried out for my first under-14 tournament because I didn't touch the selector's feet. From then I promised myself that I will never ever touch anyone's feet and I do not let anyone touch my feet.
“I remember, coming through my career every time I failed whether it be in the under-16, under-19, Ranji Trophy or even initially in my international career, people would say that you come from a (well-off) family, you don't need to play cricket. You've got so many (options), you can join your dad's business.”
So that was the biggest perception that was hanging on my head - Gautam Gambhir
Gautam Gambhir while talking about the same stated that when people used to say to him that he didn’t need cricket, it became his biggest perception and he wanted to beat that. He added:
“So that was the biggest perception that was hanging on my head. People did not realise that I wanted it more than them. I wanted to beat that perception.
“So when I was able to do that, no other perception ever bothers me. The toughest perception for me to beat in my life was that I didn't want it that hard. I wanted it harder than any of them.”
Gautam Gambhir played 58 Tests, 147 ODIs, and 37 T20Is, amassing 4154 runs in Test cricket at an average of 41.95 with nine centuries and 22 half-centuries. In ODIs, he scored 5238 runs at an average of 39.68 with 11 centuries and 34 half-centuries while in T20Is, he mustered scored 932 runs in 37 matches with five half-centuries at a strike rate of 119.02.
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