Gautam Gambhir has made 5 honest remarks on Indian cricket, criticizing hero worship, player endorsements, and boastful statements. He emphasized that a captain’s success depends on the team, highlighted the importance of role models like Rahul Dravid, and called for balance in praising achievements without self-promotion.
5. On Yuvraj as the greatest Indian batsman
This statement ruffled the feathers of fans of Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, and Sunil Gavaskar. However, Gautam Gambhir remains unfazed, as he stands by his opinion. Gambhir recently praised Yuvraj Singh, India’s hero in the 2007 T20 World Cup and 2011 World Cup, calling him the greatest batsman the country has ever produced.
4. On individual worship
Gautam Gambhir has often spoken about the culture of individual hero worship among fans in India, and it’s likely he will continue addressing it. Social media remains a battleground where fans of players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and MS Dhoni frequently engage in heated arguments. Gambhir has been vocal against this, calling for a shift in mindset.
He stated, “India needs to move beyond hero worship—whether in cricket, politics, or Delhi cricket. What we should focus on is Indian cricket, or India itself.”
He continued, “This culture is driven by two factors: first, social media followers, which are often superficial; and second, the media and broadcasters.”
3. On tobacco endorsement by some former Indian legends
A major uproar occurred among fans when Indian cricket legends Virender Sehwag, Sunil Gavaskar, and Kapil Dev appeared in advertisements for Pan Masala, a tobacco product. While other former cricketers remained silent, Gautam Gambhir did not hesitate to address the issue with his usual candor.
“Disgusting and disappointing,” Gambhir remarked. “That’s why I always say, choose your role models wisely. A person is remembered not by their name but by their actions. Crores of kids look up to these players. Money shouldn’t be the driving force behind endorsing something like pan masala.”
He added, “Sachin Tendulkar was offered 20-30 crores but declined such ads, as he had promised his father never to engage in such promotions. That’s why he is a true role model.”
2. The captain is as good as his team
Gautam Gambhir is the only captain in Kolkata Knight Riders’ history to lead the team to not one, but two IPL titles. He’s one of only three IPL captains to have won the trophy more than once. However, Gambhir humbly refrains from taking personal credit, instead praising his team for their contributions to his success as a leader.
“A captain is only as good as his team. It’s crucial for a captain to have a strong team,” he stated.
1. Gambhir hits out at Shastri
Ravi Shastri is undoubtedly one of the most prominent figures in Indian cricket, and few have dared to challenge him. However, Gautam Gambhir is not one to indulge in flattery. He is known for speaking his mind.
When Shastri claimed that his and Kohli’s team was the best Indian team ever, Gambhir was quick to respond.
“The surprising part is that when you perform well, you don’t usually boast about it. It’s fine if others say it, but when we won the 2011 World Cup, no one made statements claiming our team was the best in the world, let alone the country,” Gambhir remarked.
He continued, “When you win, let others talk about it. Yes, winning in Australia and England is a big achievement, but let others praise you for it. You’d never hear such statements from Rahul Dravid. Whether India wins or loses, his words remain balanced, and that reflects the team’s ethos.”