During a conversation with news channel Aaj Tak, Gambhir, said that he may have differences on political idealogies with Shahid Afridi but wanted the Pakistani cricketer to recover soon. 'Gauti' added that "nobody should be infected with this virus."
“Nobody should be infected with this virus. I have political differences with Shahid Afridi but I want him to recover as soon as possible. But more than Afridi I want every person infected in my country to get well as soon as possible,” Gautam Gambhir said.
“I have to worry about the people in my country. Pakistan has offered to help India but they need to provide help in their own country first. They have offered to help and I am thankful for that but first they need to eradicate the cross-border terrorism.”
It is no hidden secret that Gambhir and Afridi have had their set of heated altercations on the field during the high voltage encounters between India and Pakistan on the green turf. Both Gautam and Shahid are known to be quite expressive and do not hold back from their views on both issues on and off the cricket field.
Read: Former Pak Cricketer Shahid Afridi Becomes Covid-19 Positive; Asks Fans To Pray For Speedy Recovery
The former Pakistan all-rounder drew a lot of praise and admiration for his relief work amid the coronavirus pandemic in Pakistan.However, Afridi hogged the limelight for the wrong reasons for his controversial remarks on Kashmir and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Many Indian cricketers including Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh and Gautam Gambhir were critical of Afridi following the remarks.
Pakistan's wicketkeeper-batsman Kamran Akmal also took to Twitter to wish recovery for Afridi. "In shaa Allah you will be fine soon Ameen.prayers are for your long healthy life.Get well soon," wrote Akmal.
Afridi is the second international cricketer to contract coronavirus. Last month, former Pakistani opener Taufeeq Umar revealed that he had tested positive for COVID-19.