'He talks positively and is very straightforward' - Shahid Afridi on Gautam Gambhir after latter's appointment as India head coach

Anyone asked about the most storied and historic rivalries in cricket will undoubtedly mention the fierce competition between the Indian and Pakistani teams. In terms of individual players, several combinations might come to mind for cricket buffs, but the storied rivalry between Gautam Gambhir and Shahid Afridi would certainly be a prominent part of the discussion. And of course, why not? The intense relationship between the two first came into the spotlight during the third ODI of the five-match series of Pakistan's tour of India in Kanpur, where a heated altercation between the two renowned cricketers took place.

But that's just the visible tension between two individuals playing with fervent egos and passionate hearts on the field. Off the field, however, the dynamic takes a different turn. This was evident in Afridi's reaction to Gambhir's appointment as Team India's head coach, succeeding the esteemed Rahul Dravid.

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Afridi, currently competing in the World Championship of Legends 2024 in the UK, remarked that it would be a significant opportunity for Gambhir, and it remained to be seen how the former southpaw would capitalize on it. He also mentioned that he had followed Gambhir’s interviews and statements for a long time and appreciated his forthright approach to matters.

"I think it’s a big opportunity, and we need to see how he makes the most of it. I have seen his interviews, and he talks positively and is very straightforward," Afridi was quoted as saying by The Indian Express.

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Notably, Gambhir's first assignment will be overseeing the three T20Is followed by an equal number of ODIs when India tours Sri Lanka in the last week of July, concluding on August 7, 2024.

At present, VVS Laxman is administering the young Indian cohort in the five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe.