Gautam Gambhir and Manoj Tiwary react to their on-field altercation
India’s renowned batsman Gautam Gambhir and Manoj Tiwary were involved in an ugly on-field spat at the Feroz Kotla Ground in Delhi today. Both the players got into an altercation during a Ranji Trophy match between Delhi and Bengal.
When the day got over, Bengal’s Tiwary reacted on the heated conversation with Gambhir and said he had done nothing and video tapes will provide proof for the same.
“I didn’t do anything, everything is on video. Gautam Gambhir is a senior, so I respect him. But if someone crosses a line, I won’t feel good about it obviously. He (Gambhir) said a lot of things that went out of control,” Tiwary was quoted as saying by ANI news network.
Gambhir himself didn't react much and said, “Nothing happened boss,” and got in his car. According to the reports, Gambhir started the spat when Tiwary came to bat in the second innings for Bengal.
The incident happened in the 8th over of Bengal’s second innings. Tiwary walked into bat after a wicket fell. When the bowler started to take his run-up, Tiwary stopped him and signalled to the pavillion that he needed his helmet.
Gambhir, who was fielding in the slip cordon, thought Tiwary was just trying to waste time. He got frustrated by the act and said, “Shaam ko mil tujhe maroonga (Meet me in the evening, I will hit you).
Tiwary replied: “Shaam kya abhi bahar chal’ (Why wait till evening, let’s go out and settle it now”).
Gambhir raised his fist in Tiwary's direction and the latter didn’t back down. The umpire came in between, but he was pushed away by Gambhir. Manoj then shouted at Gambhir saying, “Did I tell you anything, why did you come in between.”
Both Tiwary and Gambhir will be summoned by the match referee Valmick Buch. The Delhi skipper’s act of pushing umpire Srinath during the course of the heated exchange could land him in trouble. According to cricket laws, touching umpire is a grave offence and could potentially invite a ban.