Hi Gautam Gambhir,
I thought that this must be said and maybe this is not going to be one of those posts where it is just those rosy words that make you the great that you are today. It is about the sharp mic flair that you have.
Let’s face this, Gautam Gambhir, you know today all those commentators that we have in place, they are quite popular and always excited to put in those words which are absolutely necessary to underline the greatness of a particular individual.
But you would rarely find someone who has the guts to talk when the truth is bitter. I have found that in you Gautam Gambhir. There are times when what you say sounds pretty acerbic but being very candid with you, there are times when someone needs to say the truth.
Not always is it going to be a garland of orchids. Not always is it going to be the triumphant chest bump. At times someone needs to call the spade a spade, call the hour where it is the darkest. Not everyone has the heart and the guts for that.
Surprisingly, you do. Never change, Gauti, never ever change. As an ardent fan of cricket, I know that not always will India make the right calls. I am not waiting for that moment. I just want you to be around so that when the time is not right for the Men in Blue, you can show them the path.
More importantly what you bring to the platter is unparalleled leadership. Leading the nation and then your franchise to championship from almost ashes, we call those characters a certain mythical term labelled as a phoenix. So are you a phoenix? Of course you are. You are someone who doesn’t care for the iconics.
People call you an iconoclast, maybe you are. But you are the one who knows when to call out an icon and when not to. You are the one who calls a spade and knows exactly when to shove the dirt aside if need be. You are the hero that we don’t deserve but we need.
India is a country where cricket is a religion but at the same time, even Gods face the scanner and maybe you are just brave enough to throw the scanner in front of them. So at times it is crucial that we realize what needs to be done and what needs not but at the end of it all, you know the balance.
They say that you hate Kohli? Well, you are the one who recently said that Kohli is the best-ever finisher. Hate much? I think you are a critical analyser which a commentator or an expert should be. Not just a blind follower.
Thank you for being there, Gauti. When India collapsed in the two finals early on and even when the world needs your sharp words as a reminder that you will point out when things are not right.
Yours sincerely,
A crazy cricket fan of yours
