Missing Nagpur Test is my biggest regret: Gambhir

New Delhi:

Fiery opener Gautam Gambhir on Thursday ruled out curbing his natural aggression but promised not to cross the line in future.

The Delhi opener had to sit out of India's final Test match against Australia after being slapped a one-Test ban for elbowing Shane Watson in Delhi.

Despite being the leading scorer in the series, Gambhir could only watch from the dressing room as India went on to beat Australia in Nagpur and win the series 2-0.

Though Gambhir said he realised the need not to overstep the line, the left-hander said he would not go against his nature.

"It's important as a professional cricketer not to let down the side, especially when you are in such great form. I regret missing the fourth Test and I needed to be more sensible," he said.

"Being an aggressive player, I don't want to change my instinct but I still need to know the boundary and what extent I can go to. I just cannot cross the boundary," Gambhir told NDTV.

"I cannot change my basic nature but I should have maintained my cool," he said.

The Delhi played blamed the Australians for provoking him and said they went over the top in the third Test.

"It was my reaction to what they did. They tried to provoke me throughout the series and (on that occasion), they just went over the board.

"I think somewhere down the line, sledging needs to be taken care of but I should have been more sensible," he said.

Gambhir said missing the Nagpur Test was the biggest regret of his career so far.

"This is indeed the biggest regret so far. I always wanted to contribute to the team and be part of the team that beat Australia. Having contributed so much in the series, I really wanted to play the last Test and never wanted to watch it from outside," rued the opener.

Gambhir was pipped by Ishant Sharma in the race for the Man of the Series award and though the left-hander lamented missing the honour, he said he was happy for his Delhi team-mate.

"When you contribute so much, you definitely want to be recognised. But I'm happy for Ishant. He bowled his heart out and has been fantastic right throughout the series," Gambhir said.