Cricket

Gautam Gambhir, the former Indian cricketer and current head coach prospect, has revealed a poignant childhood memory that ignited his passion for winning the World Cup for his country. Recalling the heartbreaking loss to Australia in the 1992 World Cup, Gambhir shared that the defeat left an indelible mark on him, inspiring him to pursue his dream of lifting the coveted trophy.At the tender age of 11, Gambhir witnessed the agonizing one-run defeat at the Gabba in Brisbane. The match, which was reduced to 47 overs due to rain, saw India chasing a revised target of 235. With the equation down to five runs off four balls, Venkatapathy Raju's run-out in the final over shattered India's hopes.The defeat left a profound impact on Gambhir, who was deeply moved by the team's failure. "I remember the 1992 India-Australia World Cup game in Brisbane, which India lost by one run, and I actually remember that I cried the entire night," Gambhir recalled in an interview with Sportskeeda. "I have never cried like that before or after that, and I don't know why."Despite being only 11 years old at the time, Gambhir's determination was unwavering. "I was an 11-year-old at that time. I cried the entire night and said that I wanted to win the World Cup for India," he said. "I said that in 1992 and I was able to fulfill that dream in 2011."Gambhir's dream came to fruition in 2011 when he played a pivotal role in India's World Cup triumph. He was the team's leading run-scorer in the tournament, including a match-winning 97 against Sri Lanka in the final.Four years earlier, Gambhir had also played a key role in India's victory in the inaugural ICC World T20 in 2007. He was the team's top-scorer in the final against Pakistan.Gambhir's journey from a heartbroken 11-year-old to a World Cup winner is a testament to his resilience and unwavering belief. His story serves as an inspiration to young athletes and fans alike, reminding them that even the most challenging setbacks can be transformed into opportunities for growth and triumph.