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Gambhir 'Slams' Over-Friendliness Nature of cricketers, calls it 'Unnecessary' 

image-lm33sm3bGambhir has criticised the Indian team [Twitter]

Former Indian opener Gautam Gambhir has openly criticized Indian cricketers' friendly behavior with Pakistani cricketers during match. He clearly stated it's not expected from players engaging in fun banters while the match is still on. Gambhir who was known for his on field aggression, expressed his views on air yesterday.

Rain played a spoilsport in yesterday's match between these two arch rivals. After an early collapse in the day, India settled down with a score of 266 runs on the board. Post that, not a single ball was bowled in the second innings, hence after unexpected delays match officials called it a day. This left India and Pakistan to get one point each with Pakistan advancing to the Super Four stage. India will be eyeing a victory over Nepal on Monday to secure their Super Four berth.

While the match was having multiple breaks, players were seen chatting and spending times together. It was caught on the camera, clearly visible they're having a good time off the field as well. But it didn't go well with Gautam Gambhir who is there in Sri Lanka for his commentary stint. 

While discussing this on post match show, he expressed his views on the camaraderie these players are showing.

"When you play on the field for your national team, you must leave the friendship outside the boundary ropes. Game face hona zaroori hai. Dosti bahaar rehni chahiye. (It is important to have a game face. The friendship can remain outside during the match). There has to be an aggression in the eyes of both sets of players. You can be as friendly as you want after those six or seven hours of cricket," Gambhir said.

"Those hours are very important, because you're not just representing yourself, you're representing a nation of over a billion. These days you see players of rival teams patting each other on the back and exchanging fist bumps during a match. You would never see that a few years ago. Aap friendly match hi khel rahe ho,” he added.

India will take on Nepal tomorrow and Pakistan will fly back to their country to play first match of Super Four stage on Wednesday in Lahore.