Ashwin credited Gambhir with instilling confidence in him during the early stages of his Test career.
However, veteran India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin feels Gambhir is a "very misunderstood person" and described the latter as a tenacious and exceptional motivator.
Ashwin also credited Gambhir with instilling confidence in him during the early stages of his Test career.
"Gambhir was a fighter. I was playing my first full series. I only carried drinks during the first two years before the World Cup (in 2011). He gave me a lot of confidence at the beginning (of his career). I was not used to someone beyond my state (Tamil Nadu) giving me that sort of confidence," Ashwin, as quoted by PTI, said while launching his book -- I Have the Streets - A Kutti Cricket Story -- in Chennai.
Ashwin emphasized that Gambhir, the leading contender to replace Rahul Dravid as India’s next head coach, is often misunderstood due to his candid nature.
"Gautam Gambhir is a very misunderstood person. It's all about perception. He is a fighter.
"The biggest issue with many of us is that we give hero status to someone in our mind and forget about everyone else. This is a sport, not a movie narrative.
"There are no heroes and villains. Gambhir is a competitor. His desire and hunger to win is unbelievable. I have massive respect (for him)," he remarked.
On a separate note, Ashwin reflected on the trust and belief shown in him by the legendary skipper MS Dhoni during the early phase of his career.
While playing for CSK under Dhoni's leadership, Ashwin rose to prominence and his IPL heroics paved the way for his selection in the national side.
"It's an evolving relationship. MS didn't even know someone like me existed in 2008," Ashwin recalled.
"And because of that, I made it my life's goal -- from 2009, it was to get the wicket of MS Dhoni. When a person has a goal like this, he will go crazy when an opportunity to achieve it pops up."
Ashwin then reminisced the final match of the 2008 Challenger Trophy held in Nagpur. "We were playing the Challenger Trophy, and I bowled an unbelievable spell. MS would struggle through that spell in Nagpur. Once, when he tried to play, the ball went through his gates.”
"I got him out in the final. From then on, I think he saw somebody with skill, and the relationship matured."
Ashwin revealed that once a player gained Dhoni's confidence, he would receive numerous opportunities to realize his potential.
"One of MS' usual qualities is that, if he decides this horse (a player) is not ready to race, he will not use you. He needs to know you're a horse.
"But, once he knows you're a horse, only when you feel like giving up, he will look past you. That is MS Dhoni; he believes in you," he stated.
(With PTI Inputs)