‘Jitaya maine nahi, jitaya Harbhajan Singh ne tha’ - Gautam Gambhir faces heat from fans over ‘hypocrite’ remark

Gambhir spoke of India’s win against Pakistan in Asia Cup 2010, when Gambhir and MS Dhoni brought India within a touching distance of a win. However, it was Harbhajan who scored the winnings runs.

Published - 04 Sept 2023, 12:11 IST | Updated - 04 Sept 2023, 14:12 IST

3 Min Read

Former Indian batter Gautam Gambhir has always preached that cricket is a team game. Whenever presented with the opportunity, Gambhir has always highlighted the performance of the entire team over individuals.

In many instances, the former Indian opener has opined that the media and fans need to stop worshipping individual players and give credit to the whole team. However, the 41-year-old landed himself in a bit of trouble after his recent comments during the India-Pakistan game in the ongoing Asia Cup 2023.

Gambhir talked of India’s win against Pakistan in match 4 of the Asia Cup 2010, when Gambhir and former skipper MS Dhoni brought India within a touching distance of a win. However, it was Harbhajan Singh who finished the game for India by scoring the winning runs. Opining over the same, Gambhir stated that it was Harbhajan who won that match for India.

"Jitaya maine nehi, jitaya Harbhajan Singh ne tha. Meri aur Dhoni ke beech sajidari zarur huyi thi but mera manna hain ki jo aankhri run banata hain wohi jitata hain (I did not win that match for India. It was Harbhajan. Yes I did get a partnership with Dhoni but I believe that the batter who scores the winning run actually clinches victory for the team)," Gambhir was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.

Reacting to the same, many took to social media to opine that Gambhir’s opinion showcased his "hypocrisy" as he has always emphasised on the importance of the team but is now naming Harbhajan Singh as the match-winner for he scored the winning runs in a game. In the 2010 clash between India and Pakistan, Gambhir scored 83 runs in 97 deliveries, while Dhoni had amassed 56 off 71. Harbhajan remained unbeaten on 15 runs.

Here's how social media reacted:

Gautam Gambhir just said 'Joh Aakhri Run Banata Hai Wahi Jitata Hai' referring to Harbhajan Singh's Knock In Asia Cup

Le MS Dhoni: 🙃🙃🙃🙃
— Akash Kharade (@cricaakash) September 2, 2023

Star Sports shows Scorecard of #INDvPAK Match at #AsiaCup 2010

Kaif: Iss match ke MOM the Gautam Gambhir, Bhaarat ko match jeetaya tha

Gambhir: Jeetaya maine nhi Harbhajan Singh ne tha 6 maarkar, main maanta hun jo winning runs maarta hai wo match jeetata hai

👀👀👀
— Rudra Makkar • Filmmaker & Writer (@MakkarRudra) September 2, 2023

Highlights were shown on TV of Harbhajan Singh hitting six against Pakistan where India won the match .

Gautam Gambhir - in my opinion, whoever hits the final runs is the match winner.
Sir kya kha liya aaj ? #gambhir 😂😂😂😂😂😂🙏🙏#AsiaCup #AsiaCup23 #INDvsPAK
— rajat vaishnav (@Rj0007lover) September 2, 2023

Gambhir Hypocrisy?

He always says 1 six ne world cup ni jitaya but just now when Ind Vs Pak 2012 Match was shown other commentators said you made team win then he says "Maine nhi bhajji ne jitaya (he hit a six on last ball), mai maanta hu jo last run marta h voi match jitata h"
— Muskan Mandil (@_muskan05) September 2, 2023