Former Indian batter Gautam Gambhir is yet again a topic of discussion across social media platform Twitter. In a viral video of his interaction with a Hindi news channel, Gambhir has claimed to have returned INR 3 crore to Delhi Daredevils (now Capitals) after the 11th season of the Indian Premier Leaggue.
Advertisement
Gambhir had cited his example after being asked to opine on this recent trend of cricketers (former or otherwise) endorsing a particular pan masala brand. Using words like “disgusting” and “disappointing” for them, the 41-year-old had remarked that being role models for millions, cricketers will have to look beyond the financial prospect and should be willing to be selfless.
Speaking of his own selfless act of stepping down as the captain of Delhi after just six league matches in order to drive his point home, Gambhir knew he was criticizing the likes of his former Indian opening partner Virender Sehwag and legendary Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, and Chris Gayle in the process. All of these cricketers had featured in the advertisement of a popular pan masala brand during IPL 2023.
Did Gautam Gambhir Return INR 3 crore To Delhi Daredevils In IPL 2018?
Yes. Gambhir had indeed returned his auction amount to the franchise. Having said that, while he claims to have returned back the sum of INR 3 crore to the owners, Daredevils had actually roped him for INR 2.8 crore after combating against both Rajasthan Royals and Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) during IPL 2018 mega auction.
It is not to say that Gambhir deliberately raised the figure during the show. It is highly likely that he might have been referring the amount as a round figure.
For those unaware, the former southpaw batter had stepped down from the captaincy post after DD had managed to win just one of their first six matches. His own personal batting form wasn’t impressive either. He had managed to score a mere 85 runsat a paltry average of 17 across the five innings he had batted.
He was, in fact, replaced by Shreyas Iyer as the captain who had skippered Daredevils to four wins in the next eight matches. Gambhir, on the other hand, did not play any of the remaining matches for the franchise that season. He had later revealed that it was not a choice but a result of the team management not picking him in the playing XI.
Why Didn’t KKR Bid For Gautam Gambhir In IPL 2018?
Having skippered Kolkata Knight Riders for 108 matches between 2011-2017, Gambhir had registered 61 wins while lost 46 of those during the seven-year period. He even led Kolkata to two IPL titles in 2012 and 2014.
During the auction before IPL 2018, managing director of the franchise, Venky Mysore, had revealed to the Star Sports that Gambhir was very much in their plans for the imminent season as well, and that they were even ready to use the ‘Right to Match’ card for him.
However, it was Gambhir who had requested Mysore to refrain from picking him during the auction as the former felt there “might be a new challenge” for him leading or being part of another franchise that very year.
