Gambhir Takes a Dig at Bedi, Chauhan as Navdeep Enters Test Squad

Gambhir had previously risked his captaincy and fought hard to get Navdeep Saini into the Delhi Ranji Trophy team.

A vindicated Gautam Gambhir on Tuesday, 12 June, launched a scathing attack on former skippers Bishan Bedi and Chetan Chauhan on Twitter after Haryana speedster Navdeep Saini cracked into the Indian test team.

Gambhir, who is currently holidaying in Europe with his family took to Twitter to fuel a 5-year-old altercation, and remind Bedi and Chauhan as to how a section of DDCA officials were distributing pamphlets and were ready to wear black armbands in protest of Saini's inclusion.

My ‘condolences’ to few DDCA members, @BishanBedi @ChetanChauhanCr on selection of ‘outsider’ Navdeep Saini to India squad. Am told black armbands are available in Bangalore too for INR 225 per roll!!! Sir, just remember Navdeep is an Indian first then comes his domicile @BCCI

— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) June 12, 2018

Gambhir had previously risked his captaincy and fought with the establishment to get Navdeep Saini into the Delhi Ranji Trophy team.

According to a PTI report, Bedi had written a letter to Delhi & Districts Cricket Association (DDCA) in December 2013, about the inclusion of rookie pacer Navdeep Saini in the senior squad for a Ranji Trophy match.

Bedi, wrote to then DDCA president Arun Jaitley,

..... Similarly in today`s meeting to finalize the Ranji team, an outsider, Navdeep, a fast bowler from Karnal has been selected. This boy has played no cricket in Delhi for the past year and it is inappropriate to bring in an outsider when there are some very good boys waiting to represent Delhi.

Bishan Singh Bedi

However, Gambhir stood his ground over Saini’s selection, adamant to get the young pacer into the team, triggering the ‘infamous altercation’ with Chauhan at Roshanara ground.

Saini, who was the star behind Delhi's victory over Bengal in Ranji Trophy 2017-18 semi-final, has often credited Gambhir for his success in domestic cricket.

He had previously told PTI,

I owe this life and my success to Gautam Gambhir. I was a nobody and Gautam bhaiyaa did everything for me.

Navdeep Saini

Bedi and Gambhir have never shared a great rapport, and the legendary left-arm spinner was very critical about Gambhir's alleged conduct with coach KP Bhaskar after their public fall-out at the end of the 2016-17 season.

(With inputs from PTI.)