Would rather be a mean winner than polite loser : Gambhir

New Delhi,Winning is all what matters to Kolkata Knight Riders captain Gautam Gambhir as he intends to be “mean winner than a polite loser” when the reigning IPL champions take part in the upcoming Oppo Champions League Twenty20.

“We always take the field thinking that we will win and this time it is no different. Ideally, one should not be thinking about the title in the first lap of the competition but such is the subconscious mind that it often takes you to the title leap even before you reach there. That is why I want to focus on the first game against Chennai (on September 17) and not go too far,” Gambhir told PTI in an interview on Tuesday.

Asked whether he hurts himself at times by being too intense, the 32-year-old left-hander says that “it’s too late in the day to change himself”.

“Yes, a lot of people have told me that but my approach has always been like that. The other day I was playing badminton with Virender Sehwag, Ashish Nehra and a few others. There again it was not for enjoying the game but winning. I have always been like that. Frankly, I’d rather be a mean winner rather than a polite looser. I play to compete and not look good or make friends. Its too late in the day to change my approach, I am happy the way I am,” Gambhir said.

Gambhir feels that KKR and other Indian franchises certainly have a better chance to win the Oppo CLT20 by playing in familiar conditions than teams like Barbados Tridents, Perth Scorchers or Dolphins.

“Well that is only natural. Like it will be more challenging for any Aussie team to win Big Bash if it took place in India, its vice versa as well. But having said that, it would have been extremely satisfactory as a captain, if we had won the tournament in South Africa (2012). It would have symbolised that we are a good all-round side which not only thrives in Indian conditions but abroad as well. For a cricketer there is no bigger satisfaction than winning in foreign conditions. Yes, playing at home will be advantage to the Indian franchises,” he said.