IND vs SA 2025: 'He thought whatever he said was right' - Shahid Afridi takes fresh dig at Gautam Gambhir

Published - 11 Dec 2025, 15:14 IST | Updated - 11 Dec 2025, 15:32 IST

Shahid Afridi and Gautam Gambhir have been at loggerheads for several years now. They were at the forefront of multiple feuds during their playing careers, and it stretched outside the field after their retirements. Afridi and Gambhir have gone back and forth in criticising each other time and again over the years.

In a recent interview, the Pakistan legend took a fresh dig at Gambhir, saying that after he took up the role of India's head coach, he behaved as if he was always correct.

“The way Gautam started his stint, it looked like he thought whatever he said was right. But after some time, it is proven that you are not always right,” Afridi said in an interview with Telecom Asia Sport.

Afridi seemed to be referring to India's dismal performance against South Africa in the two-match Test series. The Men in Blue were whitewashed 0-2 at home. This was their second Test series defeat at home under Gambhir's reign. After the Test series, India did win the ODI leg 2-1. Now, the Asian giants have a 1-0 lead in the five-match T20I series against the Proteas.

Afridi backed Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to play the 2027 ODI World Cup. He advised the Indian management to rest the veteran duo against the less-fancied teams and preserve them for tougher assignments.

“You need to preserve both these players. When India face weaker teams, they can try some new players and rest Virat and Rohit,” he advised, before adding, “It’s a fact that Virat and Rohit are the backbones of the Indian batting line-up, and the way they have played in the recent ODI series, it can confidently be said that they can play until the 2027 World Cup.”

Former opener slams IND’s tactics ahead of 2nd T20I vs SA

Kohli won the Player of the Series award against South Africa after smashing two centuries and one fifty. On the other hand, Rohit was the Player of the Series against Australia in the ODI tour in October.