Gautam Gambhir criticises cricket legends for endorsing popular tobacco brand

Gautam Gambhir cited Sachin Tendulkar's example as a true role model.

Former Indian opener Gautam Gambhir has slammed former cricketers for doing ad films to sell Pan Masala (Gutkha). He has termed cricketers doing Pan Masala ad films as ‘disgusting’ and ‘disappointed’. During the IPL 2023, a Pan Masala company released an ad with Virender Sehwag, Kapil Dev, Sunil Gavaskar, and Chris Gayle. Fans were also disappointed to watch these legendary names doing a Pan Masala ad film. Gautam has always been known as someone direct with his thoughts and talks openly about everything. Two-time ICC trophy winner Gautam Gambhir has also cited the example of Sachin Tendulkar for the next generation. 

'Disgusting' and 'Disappointing'

Talking about the legends doing Pan Masala ads, Gambhir said, “Disgusting and Disappointing, Disgusting because in my life I had never thought a sportsperson would do a pan masala ad and disappointed as I keep saying the same thing and will keep doing so, your role model should be chosen very carefully, after a lot of thought and deliberation. Name is not important., their actions are. Be it anybody, one is not known for his name but for his work”. He also added that money is not important when you do a Pan Masala ad, there are other ways to earn money. 

Two Time Indian Premier League champion captain Gautam Gambhir also gave an example of Sachin Tendulkar and said, “Sachin Tendulkar too was offered 20-30 crores but said no to these pan masala ad. He had promised his father that he would never engage in such stuff, which is why he is role model”. Talking about his example Gambhir added, “In 2018, when I stepped down as the captain of Delhi Capitals in mid-season, I had given up on 3 crores. I could have pocketed that money but I feel I should get only what I deserve and not what I want”.