The session offered not just a look into the making of a cricket icon, but also a master class in humility, courage, and purposeful leadership.
Mumbai: In a candid and introspective fireside chat, Gautam Gambhir Cricket Legend & Team India Coach in conversation with Anand Narsimhan – Sr Anchor & Managing Editor – Special Projects, CNN News18 offered a refreshingly unfiltered take on success, leadership, and legacy. Dismissing the obsession with statistical milestones, Gambhir asserted that “10,000 runs are not important.” What truly matters, he said, are match-winning contributions—the clutch moments that impact outcomes, like his gritty 97 in a World Cup final or an unforgettable six under pressure.
He emphasized that careers aren’t built on highlight reels, but on the grit, grind, and resilience that the public rarely sees. “You don’t play for broadcasters or the media,” he said. “You play for the common man.” For him, recognition from ordinary citizens outweighs media applause, underlining how India evaluates success more emotionally than objectively.
Speaking directly to the next generation of athletes and leaders, Gambhir urged them to embrace failure and imperfection. “It’s okay to make mistakes,” he said, encouraging young minds to take bold decisions with conviction. He reflected on how this mindset fueled his performance during high-stakes tournaments like the 2011 World Cup Final and Champions Trophy.
Closing on a poignant note, Gambhir reminded the audience of the importance of identity beyond the sport: “Cricket is a part of my life, not my life.”
The session offered not just a look into the making of a cricket icon, but also a master class in humility, courage, and purposeful leadership.