Gauti's post-final interivew.. just brilliant

[veer]

‘It’s an ego thing’ Dinesh Chopra, Hindustan Times You said beforehand that you'd score big in the finals.I had the hunch I’d do well. Coming into the final, I did well against England, South Africa and Australia scoring half centuries. I wanted to go big against strong oppositions, and something told me I will turn it on in the final as well. There is no Paul the Octopus in my life (laughs). You guys are the world champions, can you explain that high? I will share an incident to explain that. After winning the final, on the way to our hotel, I saw a destitute family sleeping on the pavement. There was a couple with its three young children. I doubt if they had proper meals but they slept like a log, wearing an India shirt. I suspect they too would have celebrated with others on the streets. That to me is the high. The way cricket, and more importantly the success of the Indian team, binds the nation and helps people forget their challenges is the real kick. We are lucky we can do that. Any big success also helps erase some bitter memories. Did this do that for you? Yes. Perhaps this win will ensure I don't revisit the lows of not making the team for the 2007 World Cup. From a broader perspective, it was heartening to see a teeming lobby of the Taj, with so many fans cheering for Team India. Who'd have thought when 26/11 happened that three years down the road this lobby would witness historic scenes one day. What were you thinking when you went to bat at 0 for 1? From the outside it may seem I was under pressure, but believe me I was absolutely fine. I just told myself I had performed in even bigger pressure situations and should be able to handle this. I remember in 2007, during our tour to England, we were supposed to play a one-day game in Trent Bridge. A member of the team management came and said, ‘if you fail tomorrow, I’m sorry but you will be out’. That is a lot more pressure compared to walking out to the middle at 0/1 in a World Cup final. Run-scoring seemed a lot easier than one expected. You agree? I think so. Generally Sri Lanka are a very good bowling side but they looked a little pale. I think it is to do with Muralitharan not firing. He looked off-colour, maybe because of injury or he was not getting the zip or bite off the wicket. You batted well too… Yeah. Virat, MS, Yuvi and I all batted well. The calm with which this team approaches challenges is the key to success. You’d never feel we are flustered or rushed. This self-belief has developed over the years after being through the lows a number of times. What is the best compliment you have got so far? My inbox had 676 messages and about 192 missed calls when I switched on my phone after the game. I haven’t read them, but I'm sure I can't get a better message than what Gary told me. He said, ‘if ever I need anyone to save my life, it will be you’. That to me sums up Gary Kirsten. He gives you so much confidence you feel like Superman. I feel I can smash the wall with my head. It must be a special feeling to put a classy ton by Jayawardene in the shade. It was satisfying to hear good words from Sangakkara after the game. But the fact that I could negate a brilliant hundred by Mahela was extremely satisfying. He is a class player, especially against spin. When he was batting I was telling myself I have to better or match him, stroke for stroke. It's an ego thing. A feeling to go one better than your rival. You must be heart-broken not to get a hundred? Not at all. I thought about it for a moment but after a while I was fine. India has won the World Cup. What can be bigger than that? Did the anxiety of getting a World Cup final hundred get the better of you? Yes, it did happen. At times when you are close to the pinnacle, subconsciously you reach there even before you are actually there. The same happened to me. I reached the hundred before I got there, was imagining myself raising the bat and lost focus. But now who cares? We are the world champions. Waiting for 2007 T20 World Cup like reception? Whatever the celebrations, it doesn't really matter. No one should be inconvenienced by it. I'd urge yes, it is a World Cup win, but people should not lose perspective. We've reached the top in both ODIs and Tests. But now the challenge will be to stay there as the world wants us to fall. We have to guard against that. --- this guy is unbelievable... the guy talks from his heart..

[b555]

as far as i heard he is son of an army officer .... true patriot patriotism in his blood

[jpkonline]

nice interview i would have been happy if gambhir and dhoni shared the man of the match award both of them deserved it is tough to say who deserved it more

[Cricketics]

GREAT GREAT GREAT INTERVIEW. I was telling my mom how had Gambhir scored just three more runs, he would have been automatically been chosen as man of the match over Dhoni, it was just the effect of the 3 digit score that he would have gotten. My mom said "Because he knows he has lots of lots of cricket left in him and he would eventually achieve that award in future" I so agree, this dude will eventualy make sure he win that freakin award in future. He is going to go down and become one of our best bats. He has performed in all major test victories recently and all major odi tournaments. Still remains an unsung hero. Gambhir, you played the most crucial knock of the tournament for me.

[Little_Master]

‘It’s an ego thing’ Dinesh Chopra, Hindustan Times You said beforehand that you'd score big in the finals.I had the hunch I’d do well. Coming into the final, I did well against England, South Africa and Australia scoring half centuries. I wanted to go big against strong oppositions, and something told me I will turn it on in the final as well. There is no Paul the Octopus in my life (laughs). You guys are the world champions, can you explain that high? I will share an incident to explain that. After winning the final, on the way to our hotel, I saw a destitute family sleeping on the pavement. There was a couple with its three young children. I doubt if they had proper meals but they slept like a log, wearing an India shirt. I suspect they too would have celebrated with others on the streets. That to me is the high. The way cricket, and more importantly the success of the Indian team, binds the nation and helps people forget their challenges is the real kick. We are lucky we can do that. Any big success also helps erase some bitter memories. Did this do that for you? Yes. Perhaps this win will ensure I don't revisit the lows of not making the team for the 2007 World Cup. From a broader perspective, it was heartening to see a teeming lobby of the Taj, with so many fans cheering for Team India. Who'd have thought when 26/11 happened that three years down the road this lobby would witness historic scenes one day. What were you thinking when you went to bat at 0 for 1? From the outside it may seem I was under pressure, but believe me I was absolutely fine. I just told myself I had performed in even bigger pressure situations and should be able to handle this. I remember in 2007, during our tour to England, we were supposed to play a one-day game in Trent Bridge. A member of the team management came and said, ‘if you fail tomorrow, I’m sorry but you will be out’. That is a lot more pressure compared to walking out to the middle at 0/1 in a World Cup final. Run-scoring seemed a lot easier than one expected. You agree? I think so. Generally Sri Lanka are a very good bowling side but they looked a little pale. I think it is to do with Muralitharan not firing. He looked off-colour, maybe because of injury or he was not getting the zip or bite off the wicket. You batted well too… Yeah. Virat, MS, Yuvi and I all batted well. The calm with which this team approaches challenges is the key to success. You’d never feel we are flustered or rushed. This self-belief has developed over the years after being through the lows a number of times. What is the best compliment you have got so far? My inbox had 676 messages and about 192 missed calls when I switched on my phone after the game. I haven’t read them, but I'm sure I can't get a better message than what Gary told me. He said, ‘if ever I need anyone to save my life, it will be you’. That to me sums up Gary Kirsten. He gives you so much confidence you feel like Superman. I feel I can smash the wall with my head. It must be a special feeling to put a classy ton by Jayawardene in the shade. It was satisfying to hear good words from Sangakkara after the game. But the fact that I could negate a brilliant hundred by Mahela was extremely satisfying. He is a class player, especially against spin. When he was batting I was telling myself I have to better or match him, stroke for stroke. It's an ego thing. A feeling to go one better than your rival. You must be heart-broken not to get a hundred? Not at all. I thought about it for a moment but after a while I was fine. India has won the World Cup. What can be bigger than that? Did the anxiety of getting a World Cup final hundred get the better of you? Yes, it did happen. At times when you are close to the pinnacle, subconsciously you reach there even before you are actually there. The same happened to me. I reached the hundred before I got there, was imagining myself raising the bat and lost focus. But now who cares? We are the world champions. Waiting for 2007 T20 World Cup like reception? Whatever the celebrations, it doesn't really matter. No one should be inconvenienced by it. I'd urge yes, it is a World Cup win, but people should not lose perspective. We've reached the top in both ODIs and Tests. But now the challenge will be to stay there as the world wants us to fall. We have to guard against that. --- this guy is unbelievable... the guy talks from his heart..

:two_thumbs_up:

[anish233]

everyday im becomming a bigger fan of this guy.. i mean .. he speaks his mind.. plays with upmost desire and heart... a SOLID batsman INDEED..

[anish233]

nice interview i would have been happy if gambhir and dhoni shared the man of the match award both of them deserved it is tough to say who deserved it more

gauti did his part... he was solid as ever. but i think the "game-changer" had to be Mahi... just the fact tht he put himself up the order and the calmness with which he went on till the end... i think Mahi just derserved it a LIL more.. both were awesome.. i also hope that Mahi continues to bat up in the batting order.. with the talent he has.. he really is wasting it batting at 6.. 7...

[yoda]

wow, very nice.

[Manny_Pacquiao]

he should bat at 3 once dravid goes. have rahane open with sehwag.

[Prakat]

Candid and articulate. Like it a lot. :two_thumbs_up:

[flamy]

He turns it on in the biggest stages. 75 in T20 WC Final and 97 yesterday. :hatsoff:

[CoverDrive]

some very very wise words from him and Kohli. augurs well for the future of indian cricket. The last para about not losing perspective and not inconveniencing anyone is a gem of a feeling. It gives me hope that these guys are not going to easily lose thier heads and they are professional.

[CoverDrive]

And the compliment from Kirsten is more than a man of the match for him

[vpg0002]

What a knock and what timing .. in the World Cup Finals and a very open/candid interview. He will be a treat to watch in the coming IPL giving the left this knock would have given him.

[Ram]

I have said it before and i will say it again - Gambhir is my second most favorite Indian cricketer of all time. (obviously, no clues as to who's the first..:D) This dude is incredible in the way he combines passion for his country/team with a fierce, almost scary determination to win, like nobody else I have seen. Every time he steps on the field, he always goes with the intent of 'If the opposition team is going to win today, they have to get past me first..'.. While everybody is talking about his role in the finals, lets not forget his vital contribution in making us the world's no.1 test team. His dogged batting style and warrior like determination was clearly the missing piece in our batting puzzle.

[kabira]

He definately deserved the Mom along with Dhoni. I thought both will get it.

[Dark Warrior]

Superb-man Gauti :hatsoff:

[cricketfan2010]

as far as i heard he is son of an army officer .... true patriot patriotism in his blood

Didn't know that.. Now wonder he always done well against pakistan... Gambhir a true foot soldier in team full of superstars.. Guy deserves lot more credit the he receives.

[akshayxyz]

As bad.a.s.s as it can get. Best compliment ever from Kirsten. Shows Gautis contribution and tells a lot about Kirsten's role. Also, I am curious to know who would have said the following. This is perfect example of 'leading/motivating by provocation/threat' is not the right thing to go. Or perhaps that leader knew it can work for a person like Gauti. I remember in 2007, during our tour to England, we were supposed to play a one-day game in Trent Bridge. A member of the team management came and said, ‘if you fail tomorrow, I’m sorry but you will be out’. That is a lot more pressure compared to walking out to the middle at 0/1 in a World Cup final.

[Aaku]

Son of a soldier :two_thumbs_up: I saw an interview where he sed.. If not cricket I wouldve been in the army :) Gauti :icflove: