Newly-appointed India head coach Gautam Gambhir had a heated exchange with Shahid Afridi during an India-Pakistan match in 2007. In 2008, he was banned for one Test for elbowing Shane Watson. Gambhir had a verbal spat with Virat Kohli in IPL 2023. In 2010, Gambhir had a heated exchange with Pakistan's Kamran Akmal during an Asia Cup match.