Ex-India cricketer S. Sreesanth, a 2007 T20 World Cup winner, launched an astonishing rant at his former national teammate Gambhir, now a well-respected commentator and parliamentarian, after the two were engaged in a stare-off during a match in Legends League Cricket, a tournament for retired players.
According to Sreesanth, Gambhir, who lifted the T20 World Cup trophy in 2007 and the ODI World Cup in 2011, fights with his colleagues and does not respect his seniors.
"Just wanted to clear the air with what happened with Mr fighter. One who always fights with all his colleagues. For no reason whatsoever. He does not even respect his own senior players, including Viru Bhai (Virender Sehwag). That's exactly what happened today. Without any provocation, he just kept on calling me something which was very rude which shouldn't have been said by Mr Gautam Gambhir," Sreesanth said on social media.
The Kerala-born cricketer added that the kind of words Gambhir used against him were not "acceptable" to him.
Though Sreesanth did not reveal what Gambhir exactly said to him, speculation is rife that he called him a "fixer."
"The words which he used and the things he said on a cricket field, live, is not acceptable. My family, my state, everybody has gone through so much. I fought that battle with all your support. Now people want to down me for no reason. He said things he shouldn't have said," Sreesanth noted.
A section of fans on social media, however, did not appreciate Sreesanth's choice of words for Gambhir, with some even pointing out his past association with match-fixing.
On the other hand, Sreesanth's supporters labeled Gambhir "insecure, and toxic" guy.
"Gautam Gambhir is so toxic he acts like a troll everywhere he has 100 contradicting opinions, he is jealous of cricketers and on top of that such people are Member of Parliament who often seen more on cricket field. And people idolize such people bcos oh he is mentor of my franchise so I will make him my god," an Indian cricket follower wrote on X.
"Great to see that Sreesanth came forward and exposed Gautam Gambhir in public!! GG has habit of disrespecting greats of Indian cricket like Dhoni, Virat, Shreyas and he runs agendas against them," another elaborated.
"Why do people give Gautam Gambhir attention, man? He knows he's IRRELEVANT. Has been IRRELEVANT ever since Dhoni kicked him out of the team in 2012. Keeps on talking about the 2011 WC and now started fighting in retirement leagues - all for attention. Mentally unstable guy," a third claimed.