CHENNAI: After bagging the Arjuna award and being nominated for the ICC’s Cricketer of the Year and Test Player of the Year awards, Gautam Gambhir has added another feather to his cap.
On Friday, MRF signed him as brand ambassador at a simple function by KM Mammen, chairman and managing director of MRF. Gambhir joins players like Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara and Steve Waugh who were brand ambassadors of MRF.
“It’s a great honour getting associated with a brand like MRF. I still remember as a kid the kind of logo that MRF had - it’s a great sign of success. It feels nice to be associated with such a brand,” said Gambhir after receiving the agreement from MRF.
ECB’s decision to scrap ODIs from its domestic schedule in the future has been criticised by many cricketers and Gambhir too believes that they have gone overboard.
He believes that ODI should not be scrapped in the future and believed there was ‘space’ for all the formats.
“There is still space for 50-over format in international cricket. It (50 overs) gives batsmen an opportunity to showcase his talent, particularly the middle-order batsmen.
Test cricket is the toughest format of the game,” said Gambhir.
The Delhi opener was pleased with the awards and other nominations and promised to continue in the same vein as he has been doing in past few years.
“I will try and play the same way and hope to maintain the same form. The important thing is preparation, which I’ve done well before any game,’’said Gambhir stating that he has still not peaked as a cricketer.
Delhi Daredevils’ player is optimistic of a good season ahead under MS Dhoni. “If we play to our potential and keep maintaining our positive approach we will do well in the coming season. If we do well in Sri Lanka I think we can carry the momentum to South Africa. The important thing is to do well in Lanka and start the season well,” said Gambhir.
Gambhir too has reservations about the “whereabouts’’ clause and hoped it will get resolved soon. On the players versus DDCA revolt, Gambhir said: “It feels better. We’ve had talks with the DDCA so it’s great. And hopefully everything’s been resolved for good. And hopefully things will be much better from now on.”