Gautam Gambhir, the head coach of the Indian cricket team, is facing intense criticism for promoting a fantasy cricket app on social media. The former cricketer, known for his outspoken nature, has been accused of hypocrisy by fans who recall his past criticisms of similar endorsements by other cricket legends.
A Change of Heart?
On October 12, Gambhir posted on X, encouraging fans to enjoy the India-Bangladesh T20I series with Real11, a fantasy gaming app. However, this endorsement quickly drew backlash, as many fans were quick to remind Gambhir of his previous statements against such promotions.
In 2022, he had criticised Sourav Ganguly for endorsing a betting company, arguing that such activities should be banned in India. Fans pointed out this apparent contradiction, accusing him of double standards.
A Question of Integrity
Gambhir has been vocal in the past about his opposition to endorsements of products like pan masala and betting apps. He had publicly criticised not only Ganguly but also cricketing icons like Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, and Virender Sehwag for promoting tobacco products.
His strong stance against these endorsements was seen as a call for ethical responsibility among public figures. However, his recent actions have led to questions about his consistency and integrity, leaving fans wondering if he has compromised his values for personal gain.
Coaching Success Overshadowed by Controversy
Despite the controversy, Gambhir’s tenure as head coach has started positively. He took over from Rahul Dravid and led India to a T20I series win over Sri Lanka. Although India faced challenges in the ODI series against Sri Lanka, they bounced back with victories in both Test and T20I series against Bangladesh.
Gambhir’s leadership will soon face another test with an upcoming five-match Test series in Australia, but for now, his endorsement of Real11 has cast a shadow over his achievements.
