I am not for awarding man of the match in a team sport: Gautam Gambhir

Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Gautam Gambhir has come with an interesting opinion related to the current tradition of awarding man of the match awards. Gambhir says that it is unfair to single out just one outstanding performer and appreciate his performances as in a team there are always many other important contributions.

“I want to make a confession – I am not for awarding the man of the match in a team sport and believe it should be done away with.

I know it is a tradition, which has been on for years, but in a team sport like cricket, where there are so many contributions from team-mates, it is unfair to appreciate just one player,” he wrote in a column for the Hindustan Times.

However, Gambhir did not try to be rigid with his opinion and stated that the two coaches of the teams involved must decide the Man of the Match. He believes that the coach of the losing team is the best person suggest which player was the standout performer of the game.

“Even if they want to keep the tradition alive, why not let the two coaches decide the man-of-the-match. The coach of the losing team is the best person to suggest who in the winning team hurt them the most. Who took the game away from them, simple. I am told as of now it is left to the commentators, but I think if we are to continue with this practice, then let the coaches take a call,” Gambhir wrote further.

Gautam Gambhir is on a roll this season and himself bagged the ‘Man of the Match’ award for his 90 runs knock against Sunrisers Hyderabad.  However, Gambhir while speaking at the presentation ceremony credited everyone for the win without singling out himself and talking about his knock. With 226 runs in his kitty, he is currently the highest run-getter in the tournament which has now entered its second week.

Also, read – Gautam Gambhir in line for a recall to the Indian team: Sunil Gavaskar