Gautam Gambhir reveals why he didn’t take over his father’s business after school: ‘I didn’t want to join as a failure’

Devansh Poddar

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Gautam Gambhir reveals why he didn’t take over his father’s business after school: ‘I didn’t want to join as a failure’ image

India's current head coach, Gautam Gambhir, has been a key contributor to the Indian cricket team, first as a player and now as a coach. However, it may not have turned out this way, as his father wanted him to take over the family business after school.

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In a recent conversation with Star Sports, Gambhir opened up on his early life choices and reflected on how those decisions shaped him as an individual. 

Gautam Gambhir explains why he chose cricket over his father's business

Gambhir, one of the most influential cricketers to come out of Delhi, is one of India's biggest match-winners. He helped India to the World Cup titles in both the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 World Cup.

His knock of 97 in the finals of the ODI World Cup against Sri Lanka is still one of the most celebrated innings in Indian cricket and is arguably the biggest highlight of his career. 

"I was actually in 11th standard when my dad told my mom that 'once he passes out from school, he can join my business.' and I said, 'If I ever join my dad's business, I will never join my dad's business as a failure,' because that is the easiest thing for me - to sit in my dad's office," Gambhir said.

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"But if I go to my own dad's office, without achieving anything on my own. Then deep down, he will also think that I have failed. For me, that was my biggest motivation," he added.

Gambhir's refusal to take over his father's business tells a lot about his character and determination to work on his own. He eventually made his family proud and went on to represent the nation in all three formats, winning two World Cups for the country. 

Gambhir played 58 Tests, 147 ODIs, and 37 T20Is for India in a career that lasted more than 12 years. 

After retiring from International cricket and the IPL, Gambhir has now taken over the India side as the head coach. Earlier this year, under his tenure, India went on to win the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and the Asia Cup in September. 

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Devansh Poddar

Devansh Poddar is a content producer for The Sporting News' India edition.