IPL 2018: Gautam Gambhir gets support from families of Sukma attack martyrs after leaving captaincy

Gambhir had met with the victim families of the Sukma attack.

Gautam Gambhir playing for Delhi Daredevils | IANS

Gautam Gambhir, who stepped down from the captaincy of Delhi Daredevils (DD), met with the family members of the CRPF men who lost their lives fighting Naxalites in Sukma, Chattisgarh on 24 April.

He found support from them after being left out in the game against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Feroz Shah Kotla. Fans were spotted wearing jersey number 23 for the veteran.

Not only fans present at the stadium, but even the family members of the martyrs of Sukma attack were supporting the former Delhi skipper. Gambhir had announced lifetime support for the education of the children of these martyrs through the Gautam Gambhir Foundation.

Speaking to PTI, after meeting the kids, Gambhir said: "It's been almost a year that these children lost their fathers in the attack. You can still see some moist eyes, some blank faces and confused smiles. These tender hearts seem to be caught up between the magnitude of their fathers' sacrifice and its practical impact on theirs and their families' lives. We can't repair much except support them in whatever humble way and give them small pleasures like taking them to Feroz Shah Kotla to watch a game.

"I'd like to thank DD CEO Hemant Dua who provided complimentary tickets and team merchandise for the families and children."

Gambhir met with seven children and their family members on Thursday night. "Our interaction was full of fun, tears, laughter and promises. Almost all of them wanted to know why I stepped down from DD captaincy. I tried explaining it to them but none of them looked convinced," Gambhir said.

The children of martyr Ram Mehar were also there with their mother and grandfather. "When the Sukma attack happened a lot of people made a lot of promises but it's only Gambhir who has kept his word. Well, he may not be the captain of Delhi team any more but for me he is a leader for life," they said.

 
 

By Sihyeu Singh - 29 Apr, 2018

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