The Silent Treatment: Former BCCI Chief Selector Sandeep Patil Details Fallout with Gautam Gambhir Over 2013 Snub
Former Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) chief selector Sandeep Patil has disclosed that former Indian opening batsman Gautam Gambhir severed all communication with him following his removal from the national limited-overs squad in 2013. Despite crossing paths at numerous broadcasting events over the past decade, the two have not spoken since the contentious selection decision.
The 2013 Selection Committee Decision
Gambhir was a core run-scorer for India’s top order, notably anchoring the team during the 2007 ICC World Twenty20 and the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup victories. However, the selection committee, chaired by Patil, excluded the left-hander from the One Day International (ODI) squad following the home series against England in January 2013.
The statistical record indicates Gambhir was not in a complete slump prior to his omission. In his final 25 ODI appearances, he compiled respectable figures, though the selection panel opted for a strategic change at the top of the order.
| Statistic | Gambhir’s Performance (Final 25 ODIs) |
|---|---|
| Centuries | 2 |
| Half-Centuries | 6 |
The decision cleared the path for Shikhar Dhawan, who capitalized immediately. Dhawan struck a blistering 187 runs on his Test debut against Australia in Mohali, subsequently forming a dominant limited-overs opening partnership with current Indian captain Rohit Sharma. For official match records regarding Dhawan’s debut, consult the ESPNcricinfo archive.
Professional Duty vs. Personal Rapport
Speaking in a recent interview, Patil detailed the harsh realities of serving as a BCCI selector. He emphasized that personal relationships cannot interfere with the mandate of building a competitive national team.
“When you are sitting in the chair of the selection committee, you are responsible for making some big calls. You’re not looking at your friendships with players,” Patil stated. He contrasted Gambhir’s reaction with those of other senior players impacted by selection decisions during his tenure.
- Sachin Tendulkar: Maintains a highly responsive and cordial relationship with Patil.
- Yuvraj Singh: Remains friendly and approachable during public and private encounters.
- Virender Sehwag: Continues to communicate openly despite his own unceremonious exit from the team.
The Unresolved Fallout
Patil acknowledged Gambhir’s frustration, validating the player’s emotional response by referencing his own playing career. Patil noted he was dropped from the national side after scoring a century in Pakistan and the highest runs in both innings of a Test match at the Feroz Shah Kotla against England.
According to Patil, Gambhir maintains a strict distance to this day. “We have come together on so many different shows. We’ve sat in the same room, but Gautam has never even looked at me,” Patil recounted, adding that his greetings go entirely unacknowledged. Prior to the 2013 exclusion, the two shared a close bond, frequently playing tennis together on overseas tours and communicating regularly.
Gambhir’s Final Act
Following the 2013 ODI drop, Gambhir’s international appearances became sporadic. He played two Test matches in England in 2014 and two against New Zealand in 2016 before concluding his international career. He officially retired from all forms of cricket in 2018, having led the Kolkata Knight Riders to two Indian Premier League (IPL) championships before finishing his career with the Delhi Capitals.