Gautam Gambhir, Tim Paine, Virat Kohli, Pink Ball Test
Gautam Gambhir. Photo Credit: AFP.

Perhaps, there are only a few players in world cricket, who can match the passion shown by Gautam Gambhir while playing for his country. Besides that, he is a true patriot, who has always been vocal on social issues. Meanwhile, he reveals quite a few interesting aspects of his life and asks young kids to not idolise anyone.

Gambhir had a stellar career across the formats during his peak time. However, he failed to carry on with the same flow and also the injuries saw another side of his career. Recently, he called curtains on his glorious career with a magnificent century in Ranji Trophy.

It was a pure destiny to play cricket – Gautam Gambhir

The stylish southpaw quoted that he has always got interested in joining the Indan Army. But, he believes that destiny has got other ideas for him, which landed him to play the game of cricket for the country. He revealed that he would have chosen NDA if he hasn’t played Ranji Trophy in his 12th class.

“It was pure destiny and had I not played Ranji Trophy in 12th (standard), I would have definitely gone into the NDA because that was my first love and it still remains my first love. In fact, my only regret in life is that I couldn’t join the army,” Gambhir said at a book launch, as quoted by PTI.

Gautam Gambhir
Gautam Gambhir (Photo by Kunal Patil/Hindustan Times via Getty Images)

“So when I got into cricket I decided that the best thing I can do now contributes in what has always been my first love … and I started this foundation that looks after the children of all the martyrs. We are sponsoring 50 children right now, we are going to increase the number to 100,” he added.

I grew up idolising no one – Gambhir

Further, he added that he doesn’t believe in youth icons. Gambhir feels that it is tough to replicate someone and also the pressure. He prefers to be yourself and wants to tell the same for the young kids out there.

“People have asked me this question millions of times ‘Who in your profession has been your idol?’ and I have said ‘no one’. I always wanted to be my own self and that is what has been my biggest strength, and this is what I keep telling the young kids too,” he said.

Gautam Gambhir, Kings XI Punjab
Gautam Gambhir (Credits – BCCI)

Gambhir asks the youngster to decide their lives on their own without any idolising. He went on to add saying that the facing the odds will be fine when you watch yourself after reaching the success.

“…but yes I can say it is always easy to be you. You have to decide to live your life on certain principle, not ready to compromise and always ready to face consequences… I did the same and I was very much fine with it,” said Gambhir, who admitted to have read only two books, both on freedom fighter Bhagat Singh.

Well, as Gautam Gambhir said, it is tough to replicate someone in a certain field. Meanwhile, he is doing a thankless job by helping the children of the martyr’s families to complete their studies.

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