Gautam Gambhir accused of abusing curator at Feroz Shah Kotla
While Kotla's chief curator Venkat Sundaram has said that Gautam Gambhir used foul language when his request to keep the pitch dry was turned down, the Delhi skipper has said that the complaint is based on 'fiction'.
Out of the Indian national team, Gautam Gambhir is making news for the wrong reasons. According to media reports, the Delhi skipper reportedly abused the curator at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium here after his request to keep the pitch "dry" was turned down.
Preparing for the North Zone matches of the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Gambhir reportedly wanted the pitch to remain dry and even spoke to the ground staff. This irked veteran pitch curator Venkat Sundaram. According to a report in a national daily, Sundaram alleged that Gambhir used 'abusive language' against him and that the matter has now been reported to the Delhi District Cricket Association (DDCA).
Gambhir, who has often publicly displayed his temper, however has denied the charge that he used offensive language although the 32-year-old left-hander admitted asking Sundaram to prepare a wicket that would suit the home team in the 50-over matches.
"I got calls from the media saying that DDCA curator Venkat Sundaram has accused me of using abusive language. I can categorically tell you that there is no truth in this," he said in a statement. "Yes, I did meet him on Monday at Ferozshah Kotla but there was no heated argument at all. Being the well-wisher of Delhi cricket my only suggestion to Venkat Sundaram was to give us a wicket that suits the Delhi team. Yes we have differences of opinion when it comes to the nature of pitch but to say that I abused him is a piece of fiction."
Both Gambhir and Sundaram have had tiffs in the past as well. A majority of Delhi's home matches in Ranji Trophy were played at the Roshanara Club last year after Gambhir accused Sundaram of not complying with his request for a sporting wicket. Delhi's fortunes continued to dip despite the switch in venues. So has Gambhir's. (Read: Gambhir vows not to take shortcuts, wants to work hard)
Gambhir last played for India in January 2013 - in an ODI against England in Dharamsala. A general lack of form has not helped in his quest to return to the national team. Even in the domestic circuit, the opener has struggled and scored just 22 and 9 against Karnataka in the Irani Cup earlier this month.