Sandeep Patil Opens Up on Gautam Gambhir's Prolonged Silence Post-Dropping
Former chief selector Sandeep Patil has made a candid revelation, stating that Gautam Gambhir has never engaged in conversation with him since the day he was dropped from the Indian national cricket team. This disclosure comes despite the two figures being present at numerous events and gatherings throughout the years, highlighting a persistent rift that has endured over time.
Gambhir's Illustrious Career and Sudden Setback
Gautam Gambhir, a pivotal member of India's World Cup-winning squads in 2007 and 2011, was one of the most influential players in the national side between 2006 and 2012. Although his final international appearance occurred in November 2016, the first major setback in his career arrived three years earlier when he was omitted from the ODI squad after the series against England in 2013.
Statistically, Gambhir's performances during that phase were far from subpar. In the final 25 ODIs he played for India, the left-handed batsman struck two centuries and six half-centuries, demonstrating consistent form. However, the selection committee decided to move forward, a decision that effectively concluded his limited-overs career. He featured only occasionally in Tests afterwards, playing two matches in England in 2014 and two more against New Zealand before his international journey gradually came to an end.
Patil's Tough Decisions and Personal Reflections
Speaking on the Vickey Lalwani show, Patil admitted that the decision to drop Gambhir was one of several challenging calls his selection panel had to make during that period. The former chairman emphasized that personal relationships could not influence such decisions, even when they involved some of the biggest names in Indian cricket.
"When you are sitting in the chair of the selection committee, you are responsible for making some big calls. You're not looking at your friendships or rapport with players," Patil explained. He shared anecdotes about maintaining cordial relations with other cricketing legends, such as Sachin Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh, and Virender Sehwag, who all communicate with him warmly. In contrast, Gambhir has remained distant.
"Except Gambhir. He was very dear to me. Even today, I respect him a lot, but he is upset with me, and rightly so. Even I was upset with the selection committee when I got dropped. I scored a 100 in Pakistan, the highest at Kotla against England in both innings and got dropped. Never played Test cricket again," Patil recounted, drawing parallels to his own experiences as a player.
The Aftermath and Gambhir's Continued Distance
Gambhir's exclusion opened the door for Shikhar Dhawan, who seized the opportunity in spectacular fashion. Dhawan made a memorable Test debut against Australia in Mohali, smashing a blistering 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 setup.
The left-hander continued to remain active in franchise 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, Patil admitted that Gambhir still maintains his distance whenever their paths cross. "Gambhir is still upset. He has never spoken to me. We have come together on so many different shows. We've sat in the same room, but Gautam has never even looked at me. It's fine. Every time I reached out to him or said a 'Hi', he has never responded. Not even a glance. But that's fair enough," added Patil.
Reflecting on Their Earlier Bond
Patil reflected on their earlier bond, noting that Gambhir was once very close to him and regularly stayed in touch, especially during difficult phases of his career. "He was such a great guy. We played tennis together on tours; we've had such a great rapport. Gauti used to call me almost once every two weeks when I was removed as a coach. He is like that. Gautam was very serious about his career and remained focused on his batting and approach," Patil said.
He further elaborated on the emotional toll of being dropped, stating, "No cricketer wants to leave the stage when you're doing well. Nobody wants to get dropped. Laxman, Dravid quietly went away. Sehwag wanted to have a good celebration but didn't get it. So I get it." This insight underscores the personal challenges faced by players during transitional phases in their careers.
