"They are bigger chokers than we are" - When Gautam Gambhir made an astonishing claim ahead of an IPL final
Former Team India batter and current head coach Gautam Gambhir is known as someone who speaks his mind without bothering what people have to say about him. Over the years, he has made some rather interesting statements, which have led to huge debates in world cricket among fans and experts.
Ahead of the Indian Premier League 2021 final between Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders, Gambhir made a rather contentious observation and termed the Chennai franchise as bigger chokers than the Kolkata team. Heading into the summit clash of the 2021 edition, CSK had played eight finals and won three, while KKR had played two and won two.
During an interaction with ESPNcricinfo, Gambhir had pointed out to this stat:
"If you are so data-based, if you want to talk about data and numbers, this is exactly what I am going to tell my squad as well. They (CSK) are bigger chokers than we (KKR) are!"
"But you've got to look at their track record as well. They have played what, eight finals? They have only won three. Probably if I would have been in the KKR dugout, I would have said, 'Their win percentage is nothing compared to what we have achieved.' We have played two finals, and we have won both. Those guys have crumbled under pressure much more than we have," Gambhir, a former KKR captain, had added.
Ahead of the IPL 2021 final, CSK had won the title in 2010, 2011 and 2018, while KKR had emerged victorious in the 2012 and 2014 editions.
What happened in the IPL 2021 final?
Chennai Super Kings hammered Kolkata Knight Riders by 27 runs in the IPL 2021 final to win the T20 league for the fourth time. Sent into bat by KKR, CSK put up 192-3 as Faf du Plessis hammered 86 off 59 with the aid of seven fours and three sixes.
In response, Kolkata were held to 165-9. Shubman Gill (51 off 43) and Venkatesh Iyer (50 off 32) added 91 in 10.4 overs. The chasing side, though, lost their way after the opening partnership was broken. For CSK, Shardul Thakur starred with 3-38, while Josh Hazlewood and Ravindra Jadeja picked up two wickets each.