“Hope the result is also the same today” – Gautam Gambhir replies to Sachin Tendulkar’s birthday wish amid IND vs PAK 2023 World Cup match

Gautam Gambhir turned 42 years old on Saturday, October 14. His birthday coincided with the 2023 World Cup blockbuster clash between India and Pakistan at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

On the special occasion, several celebrities, including legendary Sachin Tendulkar, who is the global ambassador of the ongoing ICC event, wished Gambhir on his birthday. Tendulkar penned a special wish for Gambhir by mentioning his match-winning knock against Pakistan. He wrote on X (previously Twitter):

“Wishing a very happy birthday to the man who played a crucial role when India played the same opposition as today in the T20 World Cup in 2007. Have a great year Gauti. @GautamGambhir.”

For the uninitiated, Gambhir had top-scored in the match, scoring 75 runs off 54 balls, including two sixes and eight boundaries. India beat Pakistan in the final by five runs to lift the inaugural T20 World Cup trophy. The left-handed batter is also well-known for his 97 off 122 against Sri Lanka when the Men in Blue won the 2011 ODI World Cup trophy.

Here’s how Gambhir responded to Tendulkar:

“Many many thanks for your wonderful wishes @sachin_rt! Hope the result is also the same today!”

Gambhir, who announced his retirement in December 2018, represented India in 58 Tests, 147 ODIs, and 37 T20s, scoring 10,324 runs across formats, including 20 tons and 63 half-centuries.

Apart from international cricket, Gambhir has led Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to two Indian Premier League trophies in 2012 and 2014, respectively.

Gambhir is currently covering the ongoing marquee ICC tournament as a commentator and pundit. He is also a Member of Parliament (MP) from East Delhi and the Global mentor of the Supergiants group.

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India opt to field against Pakistan 2023 World Cup showdown

India captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and opted to field in the 2023 World Cup match against Pakistan on Saturday. The Men in Blue made a solitary change as Shubman Gill replaced Ishan Kishan.

At the toss, Rohit said:

"We will bowl first, cannot get bigger than this, fantastic atmosphere. Sure lot of us are going to experience something really extraordinary. It's a good track, not going to change much. Dew could be a big factor and keeping that in mind, we want to bowl first.”

He continued:

“Gill is back in place of Ishan, unfortunate for Ishan to miss out, feel for him, he stepped up when we needed him."

Babar Azam and Co., on the other hand, field the same XI after consecutive wins against the Netherlands and Sri Lanka.

Follow IND vs PAK live coverage here.