Former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir has said that he was distracted by MS Dhoni’s advice in ICC World Cup 2011 final due to which he was not able to reach his century. Gambhir, who was part of Team India during ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, smashed 97 runs in the India vs Sri Lanka, ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 final. Gambhir remained three runs short of his century after losing his wicket to Thisara Perera. India won the match after defeating Sri Lanka by six wickets in the final and bagged the ICC World Cup 2011. MS Dhoni, who smashed unbeaten 91* runs in the match, was adjudged player of the match. Gautam Gambhir Trolls Pakistan With Video of Beefed-Up Security For Sri Lankan Team in the 2nd ODI, Says ‘They Blabbered So Much About Kashmir That They Forgot Karachi’. 

While speaking to The Week, Gambhir mentioned that Dhoni distracted him after reminding him that he is nearing his century. “I tell every youngster and every person that before getting to 97, I never thought about my own individual score but looked at the target set by Sri Lanka. I remember that when an over was completed, I and Dhoni were at the crease. He told me that ‘these three runs are remaining, get these three runs and your hundred would be completed,” the Delhi cricketer said.  Delhi: Missing Posters of BJP MP and Former Cricketer Gautam Gambhir Seen in ITO Area Days After He Missed Air Pollution Meet; See Pics. 

“That’s why… till I was on 97, I was in the present, but as soon as I thought, I am three runs away from getting a hundred, then that rush of blood caused by the desire to get to a hundred. That’s why it’s so important to remain in the present… when I was walking back to the dressing room after being dismissed, I said to myself that these three runs would trouble me for the rest of my life and that is true. Even to this day, people ask me why I couldn’t get those three runs,” he added.

Gambhir was recently slammed for missing an important Parliamentary meeting in Delhi for fulfilling his commentator duties with Star Sports. Other than his brilliant batting, cricketer-turned-politician Gambhir has often gathered headlines for his controversial statements.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 17, 2019 10:09 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).