“I said 'Yes' and he said you are banned” - When Gautam Gambhir elbowed Shane Watson in BGT 2008
Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir is known as someone who is vocal and does not shy away from confronting opposition players on the field. He is known among those Indian players who have always liked to give it back and those who do not shy away from sledging.
In an episode of the Star Sports show Cricket Connected in 2020, Gambhir was asked about his favorite on-field incident. The former left-hander recalled the incident involving former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson as his favorite.
"Shane Watson! And the reason is I didn't do that intentionally. Actually I got banned after that game. Lot of people say that I elbowed him, but I didn't do that purposely," he had said.
While Gambhir denied having done it on purpose, he revealed that accepting his mistake despite not being guilty cost him as he was handed a ban.
"When I was going for the hearing to the match, Gary Kirsten told me to accept it as it is Chris Broad. He will give you the extra sympathy and he is not going to ban you. I went inside with Gary Kirsten and he asked if you accept your mistake. I said 'Yes' and he said you are banned," Gambhir added.
Gautam Gambhir also stated that it was the worst punishment he received given that he had done nothing intentionally. He continued.
"That is the shortest hearing I have ever had in my entire international career and I got probably the worst punishment as well. And the worst thing was that I didn't do it intentionally."
What was the incident involving Gautam Gambhir and Shane Watson in 2008?
During Australia's tour of India in 2008, Gautam Gambhir and Shane Watson were involved in an altercation on the opening day of the third Test in Delhi. During the 51st over of India's first innings, Gambhir appeared to have deliberately pushed his elbow into Watson's chest while completing a second run.
While Gambhir claimed that it was not deliberate even back then, the incident was reviewed and it was concluded that the act was intentional. As a result, Gambhir was banned from the Nagpur Test.