Is the Albert Pinto of Indian cricket at peace finally? - Hindustan Times
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Is the Albert Pinto of Indian cricket at peace finally?

Hindustan Times | By
Aug 10, 2014 07:34 PM IST

Back in Indian team after two years, Gautam Gambhir has lots to cheer - from leading Kolkata Knight Riders to victory in this year's Indian Premier League and fatherhood to touring England for the Test series - the going has indeed been good.

In the 1950s, when American football coach Henry Russell Sanders spurred his team with the words: "Winning isn't everything… it's the only thing," he couldn't have realised the mantra would have such tremendous resonance down the decades as to appear on the social media timeline of a feisty Delhi cricketer who would tweet: "Want India to win @ all costs, with or without me."

Get to know the real Gauti
Gambhir says he is much more relaxed off the field but in a contest, he puts on his 'game-face' where no quarters are given, none asked for. Here's what the opening batsman is most passionate about:



BLACK AND WHITEhttp://www.hindustantimes.com/Images/popup/2014/7/HT-brunch-13-july-pg8c.jpg

My wife Natasha complains there's not enough colour in my wardrobe. But I am a black and white kind of man. Given a choice, I would stick to a classic white shirt, denims and Aviators combo.

DIFFERENT STROKES

Apart from cricket, I also like watching tennis, particularly players like Novak Djokovic (above), who is a character on and off the field. I am watching the World Cup and have always been a fan of the German football team. I also like the way Messi and Argentina approach the Beautiful Game.

SRK AS BOSShttp://www.hindustantimes.com/Images/popup/2014/7/HT-brunch-13-july-pg8d.jpg

We have one of the coolest, most non-interfering bosses in Shah Rukh. SRK gave me a free hand at IPL auctions to pick up any international player I like. I am glad we went in for Sunil Narine of the West Indies. But I still can't guess the way his mystery ball will move, when he bowls in the nets.

MEN IN UNIFORM

If I hadn't been a cricketer, I would have been a soldier. I am trying to learn the perfect Army salute and am launching an NGO which will work with families and widows of paramilitary personnel.

PET PASSIONS

One of my dogs passed away, which was sad. Now, I love spending time with Tyson, a Bull Mastiff gifted by Virender Sehwag and Buddy, a Labrador.

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  • ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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    Aasheesh Sharma works with the opinion team at Hindustan Times. Over the last 20 years, he has worked with a wire service, newspapers, magazines and television. His story on the longest train journey in India was included in an anthology on train writings in 2014.

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