The enduring rivalry between former cricketers Shahid Afridi and Gautam Gambhir has once again flared up, with Afridi recently doubling down on his views about the Indian cricketer-turned-coach. The animosity, which began on the field, has continued off it through various media appearances and social media exchanges.

Afridi's recent remarks have reignited the discussion around their strained relationship. He stated that Gambhir "thought he was right" in most situations, hinting at Gambhir's perceived inflexibility and strong opinions.

The former Pakistan captain initially suggested that the media played a significant role in amplifying the feud, stating that Gambhir had similar issues with players from other countries, including Australia, South Africa, and England. However, he claims that the India-Pakistan angle made their rivalry a prominent headline.

The tensions between Afridi and Gambhir first came to a head during an ODI match in 2007 in Kanpur. The incident began when Gambhir hit Afridi for a boundary, leading to a verbal exchange. On the subsequent delivery, a collision occurred while Gambhir was attempting a single, escalating the argument. Umpire Ian Gould had to intervene to separate the two. Match referee Roshan Mahanama fined Afridi 95 percent of his match fee, while Gambhir was docked 65 percent.

Their clashes have extended beyond on-field arguments. In the past, Afridi has stated that Gambhir is a character "which no one likes even in the Indian team". These comments have often sparked outrage among Indian fans. Gambhir has not been silent either, often taking to social media to respond to Afridi's remarks.

Despite their differences, Afridi has also offered a more tempered perspective. Following Gautam Gambhir's appointment as the coach of the Indian cricket team, Afridi acknowledged Gambhir's coaching credentials, particularly his success with Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL. Afridi suggested that Gambhir deserved time to prove himself in the high-pressure role, recognizing that coaching the Indian team is a significant responsibility that requires time to yield results.

The clashes between Afridi and Gambhir exemplify the intense emotions that often accompany India-Pakistan cricket rivalries. These encounters often transcend the sport, reflecting the complex political backdrop between the two nations.