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Is Gautam Gambhir Picking Too Many Fights? Aakash Chopra Thinks So
Follow UsAfter India’s ODI series win over South Africa, Gambhir publicly hit out at Delhi Capitals co-owner Parth Jindal
Former India opener Aakash Chopra believes Gautam Gambhir’s intentions are solid, but has urged the Indian head coach to avoid “picking up so many fights” - a remark that comes days after Gambhir publicly hit out at Delhi Capitals co-owner Parth Jindal following India’s ODI series win over South Africa.
India clinched the ODIs 2-1 but were swept 0-2 in the Test series, their second home Test whitewash in 12 months. After the defeat, Jindal suggested that India should consider a different red-ball coach, prompting a fiery response from Gambhir in the press conference.
Asked about Jindal’s remarks, Gambhir said: “People said things that have nothing to do with cricket. An IPL team owner also wrote about split coaching. It’s important for people to stay in their domain. Because if we don’t go into someone’s domain, they also don’t have the right to come into our domain.”
Chopra, speaking on his YouTube channel, said Gambhir’s approach in the media can sometimes backfire. “Gautam came and he was very fiery. You expect that with Gautam. When he comes to press conferences, he speaks his heart out. I have a suggestion for Gautam. When you come so fiery, and when you go after an individual or something, people then start waiting for Gautam to fail. At times, it seems like you are setting yourself up for this kind of criticism.
“One thing is certain with Gautam. His heart is at the right place, and he is a very passionate guy. He is always ready to fight for the country and the country’s team. My only suggestion is don’t fight. You have to please nobody. Don’t pick up so many fights.”
Chopra also believed Gambhir’s jab at Jindal could have been avoided. “He said if you don’t have the domain expertise, don’t talk about it. I felt it was slightly unnecessary. However, sometimes we fail to understand the undercurrents behind it. I am not trying to defend him. However, at times, you feel bad about someone because you know that guy’s opinion about you had been different earlier as well, so let me just fire it back.
“That might have been the case with that one person. Otherwise, I don’t think there is merit in this argument that you don’t need to speak about something if you are not the domain expert. Just like the incredible thing Indigo has done. I am not an aviation expert, but I can talk. I don’t think someone doesn’t have a moral right to talk. However, that one thing might have had a slightly deeper, bigger meaning.”