 |
|
Gautam Gambhir, the former Indian cricketer and current mentor of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), recently made headlines with his comments about the Fairplay Award in the Indian Premier League (IPL). During an appearance on Ravichandran Ashwin's YouTube chat show, 'Kutti Stories with Ash', Gambhir expressed his frustration with KKR's consistent low ranking in the Fairplay Award standings.
The Fairplay Award is given to the team that exhibits the best on-field conduct throughout the season. Gambhir, known for his aggressive and competitive nature on the field, has found it difficult to reconcile his team's performance with the Fairplay Award criteria.
In the 2024 IPL season, KKR finished at the bottom of the league table in 10th place. Gambhir pointed out that despite his best efforts to promote fair play within the team, they still failed to improve their standing in the Fairplay Award rankings.
Gambhir went on to say that he believes his presence on the team may be a contributing factor to their low ranking in the Fairplay Award. He recalled how he was often made to sit on the backbench in school, indicating that he has always been seen as an outsider or troublemaker.
Gambhir's comments have sparked a debate about the importance of fair play in modern cricket. Some argue that winning at all costs should be the top priority, while others believe that sportsmanship and ethical behavior should take precedence.
It remains to be seen whether Gambhir's comments will have any impact on KKR's approach to the Fairplay Award in the future. However, his words have certainly highlighted the ongoing tension between the desire to win and the need to maintain a high standard of conduct on the field.
In addition to discussing the Fairplay Award, Gambhir also spoke about his hug with Virat Kohli a year after the two were involved in a heated exchange during an IPL match. Gambhir expressed his belief that the hug was a sign of maturity and that he and Kohli have moved on from their past differences.
Gambhir's appearance on 'Kutti Stories with Ash' provided valuable insights into his thoughts on fair play, team dynamics, and the importance of sportsmanship in cricket. His comments are sure to generate further discussion and debate about the role of fair play in modern sports.