India’s head coach, Gautam Gambhir, found himself in hot water on social media for an unexpected reason just before the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final. As India geared up to face New Zealand in the high-stakes showdown, Gambhir posted a promotional message urging fans to predict the winner on a fantasy cricket platform.
A significant number of fans flooded the comments, questioning the ethics and potential conflict of interest in his endorsement while actively coaching the national team in a major ICC event.
His post read:
“Will the RO-KO duo secure another ODI Champions Trophy for India? Trade on Real11. Answer such questions in Yes/No and win exciting prizes!”
Outraged fans criticized the timing, with one user remarking:
“You’re the coach of Team India, have some shame!”
Despite the controversy, Gambhir’s strategic decisions have played a crucial role in India’s journey to the final. His bold five-spinner strategy in Dubai initially faced skepticism but has been instrumental in India’s success.
One of his most game-changing calls was bringing in Varun Chakravarthy, despite his limited ODI exposure. The KKR mystery spinner has been a key performer and is expected to play a vital role in the final.
Gambhir remains focused on the trophy, but the controversy surrounding his post refuses to die down.
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