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"Dosti Bahar Rehni Chahiye": Gautam Gambhir on India-Pakistan Players' Camaraderie

Rain prevented the opening match between India and Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2023 from being completed, giving both teams a point each. The Pallikal International Stadium in Sri Lanka had severe rain on Saturday, which caused India and Pakistan players to joke around with one another. The former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir does not want this kind of friendship to be shown during cricket matches, even though it is natural for players from opposite sides to get along.

India and Pakistan players sharing a light moment.

The Indian squad, according to Gautam Gambhir, represents 1.4 billion people worldwide, thus it should not put on a friendly display inside the stadium. Always keep these gestures to the outside.

You should leave friendship beyond borders when you complete for your country's team. It's important to complete, thus friendship should take a backseat. Both kinds of players ought to have a spirit of competition in their eyes. "After those six or seven hours of cricket, be as friendly as you want," Gavaskar famously remarked. Those are important hours because you're not just speaking for yourself; you're also speaking for as entire country of over a billion people.

Players from opposing teams can  often be seen giving each other pats on the back and throwing punches during games today. A few years ago, you wouldn't have seen that. You are, in fact, competing in a friendly game.

Gautam Gambhir, a former cricketer who is now a politician, gave a good example of friendship with former Pakistani player Kamran Akmal.

We have a close friendship. In actuality, he gave me a bat and I gave him a bat. I used Kamran's bat for the entire season I played. Recently, we had an hour-long conversation.

Gambhir also addressed the issue of sledging, saying that while friendly joking among teammates is acceptable, becoming personal is never appropriate.

Don't get too close to anyone, but you can sled. You must respect your boundaries. Don't go too personal or involve someone's family. It's okay to joke. When Australia and Pakistan played each other, there used to be jokes.