![Amir defends Kohli from Gambhir [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1773392588149_AmirdefendsKohlifromGambhir.jpg?type=hq)
Amir defends Kohli from Gambhir [Source: AFP]
In cricket, a team can only win a match if the batter scores big or a bowler takes key wickets to dismantle the opposition. Hence, without this contribution, nothing is possible, but it seems like the Indian T20I team has a different mindset. Ever since the side won the T20 World Cup by beating the Kiwis, the captain-coach duo of Gautam Gambhir and Suryakumar Yadav have taken personal digs at former Indian players.
Without uttering a single name, the duo has targeted former Indian players for playing cricket to achieve their personal milestones, rather than helping the team win matches. While no name was mentioned by either Gambhir or Suryakumar, fans believe they have taken a jibe at Virat Kohli.
Gambhir and Suryakumar's statement on milestone and star-power
“For too long in Indian cricket, we’ve spoken about milestones, and I hope, till I’m there, we’re not going to talk about milestones. You can see it very easily as well. You can see it in the last three games, what Sanju (Samson) did – 97 not out, 89 and 89. Imagine if you would have been playing for a milestone, probably we wouldn’t have got 250," Gambhir said after India won the World Cup.
His captain, Suryakumar Yadav, was not too far behind as he took a subtle dig at Kohli and Rohit Sharma, by stating that India’s current brand of cricket is better than what they played under Rohit in 2024.
"We knew the way we played the 2024 T20 World Cup - that brand of cricket - won't work going ahead," Suryakumar Yadav said in an interview with The Indian Express.
"We decided: from hereon we will not pay attention to personal milestones, the goal is to win games.
"If you noticed, till the semi-finals none of our players were top run-getters or top wicket-takers. But we qualified and kept winning. Every game, every player contributed," he added.
Also Read: Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma To Get Extra Matches For India On The Road To 2027 ODI World Cup
Virat Kohli's old rival targets Gambhir amid milestone jibe
Virat Kohli’s old rival, and former Pakistan star, Mohammad Amir has come to Kohli’s defence. He stated that the indian legend never played for a milestone, and had he played for it, Kohli would have scored more hundreds than he currently has.
"Kohli has never played for personal milestones. If he wanted, he could have scored many more hundreds. There isn’t even a single match where Kohli scored a hundred and India didn't win, he always plays for the team, not for personal records."
Does Kohli play for personal milestone? Stats reveal reality
According to the indirect jibe from Gambhir, India’s ex-players, including Kohli, played for milestones, rather than putting the team forward. However, international stats reveal the reality as Gambhir’s statement is proven wrong.
In international cricket, Kohli has the second most centuries (85), and interestingly, he has the most centuries in a winning cause (59). The second-best ratio is of Ricky Ponting, who has registered 55 centuries in winning causes.
Out of his 85 tons, 59 have come in matches where India has won the contest, and this contradicts Gambhir’s “personal milestone” statement, as when Kohli scores big, India generally wins the game.
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