Gautam Gambhir Reckons He Didn't Intentionally Elbow Shane Watson During The 2008 Delhi Test

Gautam Gambhir, former Indian opener-turned politician, was a feisty character on a cricket field. Not the one to take unnecessary words from anyone, the southpaw frequently got involved in quite a few verbal tussles during his career.

But none of those altercations escalated like the way it did between Gambhir and former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson during the 2008 Delhi Test between India and Australia.

Gambhir, who had scored his maiden double-hundred in that innings, was involved in a heated altercation with Watson and Simon Katich. And, matters escalated when the southpaw proceeded to elbow Shane Watson while completing the second run.

Gambhir was handed a one-match suspension while Watson was let off after a hefty fine. 12 years later, the former Indian opener has clarified that the elbow to Watson wasn’t intentional.

Gambhir was replying as to which is his favorite skirmish during his career during Star Sports show ‘Cricket Connected’ where he picked the Watson incident.

“Shane Watson! And the reason is I didn’t do that intentionally. Actually I got banned after that game. Lot of people say that I elbowed him, but I didn’t do that,” Gautam Gambhir said.

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When Gautam Gambhir reminded Ricky Ponting of his dismal Test record in India

Gambhir had his fair share of sledging incidents on the field. And, when asked to pick one player who he enjoyed sledging the most. His reply was Australian legend Ricky Ponting.

The former opener revealed an incident from the 2008 Bangalore Test where Ponting while fielding at silly point, had taunted Gambhir of not having set the stage on fire with his bat.

“Ricky Ponting in 2008. When Anil Kumble was the captain, in that series where I got a double hundred. In the 1st test match at Bangalore, he said that I had not sent the world on fire while I was batting and he was fielding at silly point.” Gautam Gambhir revealed.

And, Gambhir was quick to remind Punter of his dismal Test record in India.

“And I said ‘Neither have you to be honest in India. You have been a bunny’. And his record says that as well that he has been a bunny in India.” he added.

Ricky Ponting played 14 Tests in India in which he could only manage 662 runs with just one solitary hundred at an average of 26.48.

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