Gautam Gambhir. | (Image Credits: X)
Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir hits out at NRIs for saving tax and in turn questioning him for what he did with the Champions Trophy 2025 prize money. Gambhir, who has copped some criticism since taking charge, said people sitting in the commentary box for 20-25 years, have no right to comment his coaching method.
In a column for Sportstar after Team India’s Champions Trophy 2025 victory, ex-opener Sunil Gavaskar questioned Gambhi about whether he is a good role model. With the BCCI announcing a cash prize of ₹58 crore for the entire contingent, Gavaskar wondered Gambhir will do a Dravid as the latter did not accept money more than the fellow members of his coaching staff.
With the anchor asking what Gambhir has to say about all the criticism directed at him, the former opener stated in an interaction with ABP News:
“See, I’ll tell you this. 8 maheene hue hain mujhe. Aur BGT ka maine aapko kaha tha, agar results nahin aaye, toh I’m fine with criticism. Logon ka kaam hai criticise karna aur woh karein. Lekin log aise bhi hain jo 20-25 saal se commentary box mein baithe hain, unhone meri har cheez pe sawaal uthaaya. Unko lagta hai Hindustan cricket unke ghar ki jaagir hai. Unfortunately, Hindustan cricket kisi ki jaagir nahin hai. 140 crore ke logon ki pehchaan hai, aur aise hee rahegi.”
(See, I’ll tell you this. It’s been eight months. I told you if results in BGT don’t go our way, I’m okay with criticism. People will criticise as it’s their job. But the commentary box has people who have been since 20-25 years and pointed fingers at me over everything.)
Gambhir went on to claim that he will be an Indian and will remain so for life instead of becoming an NRI just to save tax.
“Unhone mere coaching se leke, mere records se leke, concussion se leke. Even Champions Trophy ke prize money pe sawaal uthaayi. Mujhe is desh ko bataane ki zarurat nahin hai maine kahan paisa choda hai. Lekin is desh ke logon ko, desh mein kamaate hain aur desh se bahar leke jaate hain. Main Hindustani hoon aur Hindustani hee rahunga aakhri dum tak. NRI nahin banunga tax bachaane ke liye. Jinke khud ke ghar sheeshe ke nahin, gadde ke hote hain, unko doosron ke ghar pe patthar maarne se pehle, hazaar nahin laakh baar sochna chahiye.”
(During the Champions Trophy, they pointed fingers at the price money I received. I don’t need to answer the country where I left the money. There are so many NRIs in India, they earn money here and take it outside. I’m an Indian and will remain one until my last breath. I won’t become a NRI to save tax).
Gautam Gambhir’s next assignment will be the England tour
Meanwhile, the 43-year-old will return to duty in June when Team India tours England for a five-Test series. The first of the five Tests begins on June 20 in Leeds.
The Asian Giants have had a forgettable time in Tests in recent times, losing 3-0 at home to New Zealand and 3-1 in Australia.
