VVS Laxman Pays Tribute To Gambhir, Recalls 'Gauti' Was Massively Inquisitive, Totally Obsessed With The Game

"Massively inquisitive and totally obsessed with the game, Gautam Gambhir never shied away from a challenge on a cricket field. Whether it was taking on express pace bowlers on spicy tracks overseas or standing up for a wronged teammate, he knew not what it was to back down," Laxman said in a tweet.

Gautam Gambhir and VVS Laxman

In his continuous bid to pay respect and honour his former Indian team mates with whom he played most of his international cricket,VVS Laxman on Thursday paid tribute to Gautam Gambhir, saying that the former Indian opener had a major obsession with the sport and never shied away from a challenge that came his way on the cricket turf. "Massively inquisitive and totally obsessed with the game, Gautam Gambhir never shied away from a challenge on a cricket field. Whether it was taking on express pace bowlers on spicy tracks overseas or standing up for a wronged teammate, he knew not what it was to back down," Laxman said in a tweet.

Massively inquisitive and totally obsessed with the game, @GautamGambhir never shied away from a challenge on a cricket field. Whether it was taking on express pace bowlers on spicy tracks overseas or standing up for a wronged teammate, he knew not what it was to back down. pic.twitter.com/RlZlGbucp1

— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) June 11, 2020

Gambhir, who made his maiden international appearance for India in 2003, played 58 Tests, 147 ODIs and 37 T20Is in which he amassed 4154, 5238 and 932 runs respectively. The former left-handed strokemaker was an integral part of India's successful campaign at the 2007 World T20 where he contributed significantly with the willow, ending as the second highest scorer in the tournament with 227 runs in seven innings. He scored 75 runs from 54 balls in the final against Pakistan which India won at the Wanderers. Gambhir' decisive 97-run knock in the finals of the ICC 2011 ODI World Cup, which India won beating Sri Lanka at the Wankhede Stadiun, made him a national hero of sorts. The 38-year-old scored 97 runs off 122 balls as the MS Dhoni-led side ended India's World Cup drought of 28 years. Gambhir also led Kolkata Knight Riders to two Indian Premier League (IPL) titles in 2012 and 2014. In December 2018, Gambhir announced his retirement from all forms of cricket and is now a BJP parliamentarian from the East Delhi constituency.