Gambhir hits out at Upton’s ‘insecure’ jibe

Well, if Paddy chose to ignore my services for the country, I can’t comment on that Gautam Gambhir

new delhi — In his just released book The Barefoot Coach, Rajasthan Royals head coach Paddy Upton has written in length about mental conditioning of sportsmen and also pointed at how former India opener Gautam Gambhir was riddled with insecurities, doubts and vulnerabilities.

He went on to add that the former KKR skipper was one of the most negative people he has worked with. Speaking to IANS on the way his image has been portrayed in the book, Gambhir said that while he has enjoyed every session he had with the former India mental conditioning coach, Upton could have highlighted other facets to the batsman than just pointing at his desire to raise the performance bar.

“I don’t see anything sinister with what Paddy wrote. He is a top guy and I see this as his personal opinion. He just missed two important things: firstly, he didn’t state all the other facts and secondly, he failed to explain the perspective,” he said.

Asked if Upton should have also highlighted the numerous achievements of Gambhir, including his match-winning knocks in the finals of the 2007 World T20 as well as the 2011 World Cup, Gambhir said: “Well, if Paddy chose to ignore my services for the country, I can’t comment on that. “This is a question for him and not me. But I am not hurt, the facts are there for everyone to see and judge.”

Gambhir went on to further explain that as a sportsman, it is important that one strives to succeed and reach greater heights with every performance. “That is what a performing art like sport is all about. You want to strive for higher achievements.” —