‘Aggression suits Kohli, let him do that within rules’

NEW DELHI: In the newly renovated family home where he is about to move in, Gautam Gambhir has reserved an entire wall of a large hall for trophies and honours that he has gathered in a career spanning 25 years of cricket including 15 playing for India.

The Arjuna award finds pride of place along with the ICC, Man-of-the-match and Man-of-the-series mementoes and other awards.

Gambhir will play his last competitive game from Thursday, a Ranji Trophy tie against Andhra, and a Man of the Match souvenir would be welcome. One day prior, the left-handed batsman had a free-wheeling conversation with Hindustan Times. especially two years back when I scored about 500 in two successive IPL seasons. But you look at others who want to play just one game for India and you realise you got so many opportunities. All those who have played for a substantial period, like Yuvraj, Harbhajan and Zaheer, got to play two (50-over) World Cups. I got just one and I am happy I helped India win the final (Man of the Match in 2011 final). Also, except for England, I got to tour overseas nations just once. With one tour you only acclimatise. People judge me but don’t realise I’ve been to South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and West Indies just once. We managed to win in New Zealand and that (winning Test series abroad), besides winning a 50-over World Cup, was my childhood dream.