Gautam Gambhir criticized Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev and Virender Sehwag for endorsing the Pan Masala brand

Former India cricketer Gautam Gambhir has criticized all the cricketers and athletes who have signed advertisements for Pan Masala. Several current and former cricketers, including Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev and Virender Sehwag, have been seen endorsing spice products through surrogate products. Advertising of tobacco brands is banned in India. Therefore, tobacco companies advertise surrogate products like cardamom to promote their name. Gambhir came down heavily on all the cricketers who have chosen to feature in those ads. Even the West Indian cricketer Chris Gayle has been seen in many of these advertisements.

Read this also | Virat Kohli vs Gautam Gambhir: LSG mentor opens up on fight with RCB batsman, says this about relationship with MS Dhoni

In a TV interview, Gambhir urged his fans to choose their role models carefully. The sitting MP also said that there are other ways to earn money and by advertising the Pan Masala brand, a wrong message is being sent to crores of children who watch these advertisements.

“Never in my life did I think that a cricketer would do a pan masala ad. It’s disgusting and disappointing. That’s why I say, choose your role models carefully. What example are you setting?” Gambhir told News18. “One is known not by his name, but by the work he does. Crores of children are watching you. Money is not that important that you stop advertising pan masala. There are many other ways to make money. ” He added.

Gambhir then recalled a story from 2018 when he stepped down as captain of Delhi Daredevils midway through the season after the team’s flop show in that edition of the Indian Premier League. Along with this, he also refused to accept the Rs 3 crore check that came with it, as he wanted to hold himself accountable and felt that he was not worth the money if he was no longer the captain.

Gambhir said, “Instead of doing such things, you should have the courage to leave a huge pay cheque. I could have taken the money, but I left it because I always believe that I should get what I deserve.”

Citing the example of Sachin Tendulkar, Gambhir said that the Indian legend once did not sign a Rs 20-30 crore deal because he did not want to promote the Pan Masala brand. “Sachin Tendulkar was offered Rs 20-30 crores to act in pan masala ads as well. But he said no to these pan masala ads. He had promised his father that he would never act in such stuff. won’t be involved, which is why it’s a role.” model,” Gambhir said.