Delhi selector says he was insulted several times by Gautam Gambhir during selection meetings
Indian batsman Gautam Gambhir, who is currently not featuring for Team India in any format, has a reputation for being a hothead on the field. But it’s not his on-field behavior that has brought him in the news again. Delhi selector Hari Gidwani recently claimed that he was insulted by Gautam Gambhir.
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I was insulted several times by Gautam Gambhir – Hari Gidwani
The 62-year-old former first-class cricket said in a recent interview that he was insulted several times by the Delhi captain during selection meetings in the 2015-16 season. He said, "I was insulted several times by Gautam. He asked questions like 'Who made you a selector and how many matches have you played?' I shot back saying it was none of his business to ask who appointed me.
“I also told him that I have played Duleep Trophy, Irani Cup and matches against touring teams boasting of world-class attacks.”
I was shocked that none of my co-selectors said anything to Gambhir about his behaviour – Hari Gidwani
He said that he was not only hurt by Gambhir’s word but shocked by the fact that none of his co-selectors protested against the left-handed batsman. “What shocked me was none of my co-selectors said anything to Gautam about his behaviour,” he said.
Gidwani further added that he contemplated resigning from his post as a selector during that time but continued his duty. "I contemplated resigning midway into the Ranji Trophy season, but I was persuaded to continue. I don't know what lies ahead for me in the next season," Gidwani lamented.
They young Delhi cricketers need be more consistent – Hari Gidwani
Delhi has been a dominant force in Indian cricket alongside Mumbai for decades now with a good number of players from this part featuring in the Indian team. Currently, Virat Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan and Ashish Nehra are playing the ongoing ICC World T20 where India will take on West Indies today in the second semi-final.
Despite these players being regulars in the Indian team, Gidwani is not too optimistic about the future of Delhi cricket and feels that players are not realizing their potential. He concluded, "We have talented players, but they are not realizing their potential. They need to be consistent."