Former India international Aakash Chopra, who currently works as a commentator and pundit, recently opened up about the relationship he shared with current India head coach Gautam Gambhir during their playing days.
Chopra and Gambhir started their careers at the start of the century with both players sharing a dressing room in the Delhi Ranji Trophy team. Their international careers too kicked off almost around the same time. While Chopra made his India debut in 2003 in Test cricket, Gambhir played his first Test match a year later.
The cricketer-turned-commentator recently opened up about the relationship he shared with Gambhir during their playing days while sensationally claiming that the latter was not his friend.
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What did Aakash Chopra say about Gautam Gambhir?
Speaking on Raj Shamani's YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra revealed how competitive the Delhi Ranji Trophy team used to be back in the day.
Chopra also claimed that to accommodate Shikhar Dhawan in the team, legendary Indian opener Virender Sehwag was forced to bat at number 4 position.
He said, "We (me and Gambhir) are competitors because we were fighting for one place. Our team was very good. When we were playing, only one of (Virat) Kohli and (Shikhar) Dhawan got the chance to play. The team was like that. In fact, there was no place for even Viru (Virender Sehwag) to open the batting. Viru batted at four so that we can accommodate one of Shikhar and Virat at 3.
"We were competitors to begin with. He wasn't a friend, to be honest. (But he was a) very passionate guy, very hard working, and very serious about his craft. He scored a lot of runs. He always wore his heart on the sleeve, was extremely passionate, and could short-fuse very quickly in terms of temperament."
What next for Gautam Gambhir and Indian cricket team?
After a disappointing ODI series loss in Sri Lanka, Gautam Gambhir's second assignment as India coach will be the upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh that kicks off in Chennai on September 19.
The Indian team under the tutelage of Gambhir has reached the southern state and are preparing for the opening match of the series.
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