India head coach Gautam Gambhir faced immense criticism on social media for advertising a fantasy cricket app on his X handle. The post for Real 11 website read, " Kya RO-KO ki jodi Bharat ko ek aur Champions ODI trophy jeeta paayegi? Real11 par Trade karo. Aise hi aur sawalo ke jawab Yes No mein do aur dheero inaam jeeto!

Gambhir, is currently with Team India in Dubai preparing for the Champions Trophy Final against New Zealand. This is not the first time that Gambhir has come under criticism for such actions. Back in October 2024, the former India opener was criticised for promoting an India vs Bangladesh match for the same betting app.

Gutam Gambhir lashes at former players for promoting unhealthy brands

Back in 2023 Gautam Gambhir had lashed out at former cricketers Sunil Gavaskar, Virender Sehwag and Kapil Dev who appeared to endorse unhealthy and harmful pan masala in advertisements, calling it ‘disgusting and disappointing’.

He had said, “I never thought in my life a cricketer would do a pan masala ad. It’s disgusting and disappointing. That is why I say, choose your role models carefully. What example are they setting?”.

He added, “One gets recognised not by their name, but by the work they do. Crores of kids are watching you. Money is not that important that you will end up doing a pan masala ad. There are so many other ways to make money. You should have the courage to let go of a big pay cheque rather than do such things,”

Here's how the fans reacted

Can Gautam Gambhir's Team India conquer New Zealand?

Having already won the ODI and T20I World Cup as a player himself, Gambhir is eyeing for his first world title as a coach. Team India have been on a roll in the ICC Champions Trophy having won all their matches so far. The Men in Blue had beaten New Zealnd in the group stage and would want to do the double in the tournament and lift the trophy.

Gambhir is hoping that India produces perfect game in CHampions Trophy final. Ahead of the buig game he said, "We still have one more game to go. Hopefully, we can play a perfect game. We want to keep improving, we want to be ruthless on the cricket field but absolutely humble off the field as well,"