India coach Gautam Gambhir (Getty Images)
Former chief selector Sandeep Patel has revealed that Gautam Gambhir has never spoken to him since the day he was dropped from the Indian team, despite the two appearing together at many events over the years.A key member of India’s World Cup-winning side in 2007 and 2011, Gambhir was one of the most influential players in the national team between 2006 and 2012. Although his last international appearance came in November 2016, the first major setback in his career came three years ago when he was left out of the ODI squad after the series against England in 2013.
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Statistically, Gambhir’s performance during that phase was far from bad.
In his last 25 ODIs for India, the left-hander has scored two centuries and six half-centuries. However, the selectors decided to move on, and the decision effectively ended his limited-overs career. He made only occasional appearances in Tests after that, playing two matches in England in 2014 and two more against New Zealand before his international journey gradually came to an end.Speaking on the Vickey Lalwani show, Patel admitted that the decision was one of several difficult decisions his selection committee had to make during that period.
The former president explained that personal relationships cannot influence such decisions, even when it comes to some of the biggest names in Indian cricket.“When you sit in the selection committee chair, you are responsible for making some big decisions. You don’t look at your friendships/relationship with the players. I have shared a good relationship with Sachin since he was 14. He has played under me, with me.
When I text him, he responds immediately. I met Yuvraj recently on a plane; Very friendly. Even Virender Sehwag. They all talk to me nicely. Except Gambhir.
He was very dear to me. Even today, I respect him a lot, but he resents me, and rightly so. I was even upset with the selection committee when I was excluded. She scored 100 runs for Pakistan, the highest in Kotla against England in both innings and fell. “I never played Test cricket again,” Patel said.Gambhir’s exclusion opened the door for Shikhar Dhawan, who made the most of the opportunity in stunning fashion. Dhawan made a memorable Test debut against Australia in Mohali, smashing 187. He later formed a highly successful opening partnership with Rohit Sharma in both ODIs and T20Is, while Gambhir gradually drifted away from the national set-up.The left-hander continued to remain active in cricket, representing Kolkata Knight Riders before finishing his IPL career with Delhi Capitals.
In 2018, he officially announced his retirement from all forms of cricket.Even years after the decision, Patel admitted that Gambhir still maintains his distance from them whenever their paths cross.“Gambhir is still upset. He never spoke to me. We have been together for many different shows. We have sat in the same room, but Gautam never looked at me. It’s okay. Every time I called him or said ‘hello’, he never answered.”
Not even a glance. But that’s fair enough, Patel added.Reflecting on their past relationship, Patel said Gambhir was very close to him and kept in touch regularly, especially during difficult phases of his career.“He was a great man. We played tennis together on tour; we had a great relationship. Gauti used to call me about once every two weeks when I was sacked as coach. He is like that. Gautam was very serious about his career and kept focusing on his batting and his approach. No cricketer wants to leave the stage when you are in good form. No one wants to be dropped. Laxman, Dravid went away quietly. Sehwag wanted to have a good celebration but he didn’t get it,” he added.
So I get it.”
