Gautam Gambhir backs his own strong stand on Mohammad Azharuddin

Former India opener Gautam Gambhir is not known to mince his words. The man, who recently called it quits from all forms of cricket and ended an illustrious career with a century in his farewell game in Ranji Trophy, has a straightforward stand on issues and he strongly backs them.

Recently, he expressed his displeasure over the decision by the authorities to invite former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin to ring a bell at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata ahead of India’s T20I game against the Windies in November. Gambhir’s point of objection was over honoring Azharuddin, a cricketer tainted by match-fixing slurs who was banned by the Board of Control for Cricket (BCCI) in India in 2000.

‘I don’t tweet for the heck of it’

The 37-year-old Gambhir was asked about his angry reaction to the incident during an interview with ESPNCricinfo and he backed himself to the hilt. “He was never given a clean chit. It was only his ban which was removed. I have read the reports as well. I don’t do tweets just for the heck of doing it or just to take publicity out of it. Had he been given a clean chit by the CBI, it wasn’t the case. Only his ban was removed. If you go through the report, it says there’s something wrong that has happened which he has done wrong,” he was quoted as saying.

India may have won today at Eden but I am sorry @bcci, CoA &CAB lost. Looks like the No Tolerance Policy against Corrupt takes a leave on Sundays! I know he was allowed to contest HCA polls but then this is shocking….The bell is ringing, hope the powers that be are listening. pic.twitter.com/0HKbp2Bs9r

— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) November 4, 2018

Gambhir, who played for India between 2003 and 2016, said he has seen the former India captain’s name being taken in anti-corruption meetings ahead of big cricketing events like the IPL, adding that other cricketers also have the knowledge of the same.

The former cricketer also used the opportunity to target the BCCI saying he felt he was let down by the board. “BCCI or CoA whoever is in charge at this moment should have taken this as well,” he said. Gambhir faced flak for his tweet on Azhar’s presence at the Eden Gardens but the former cricketer refused to budge from his standpoint.

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