‘So Much Outside Noise’: Gautam Gambhir Slams Social Media for Spreading False Narratives

Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir has strongly criticised the "toxic" culture of social media, calling it a platform that often spreads false narratives driven by "views and likes."

Gambhir highlighted that a cornerstone of India's recent T20 World Cup-winning campaign was a deliberate effort to protect the squad from "outside noise" and to allow players the freedom to fail without fear of external expectation.

Under Gambhir's guidance, India clinched the T20 World Cup 2026 with a 96-run victory over New Zealand at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium.

The win added to Gambhir's impressive coaching resume, which includes the Champions Trophy 2025, Asia Cup 2025, and a T20 World Cup, alongside an Indian Premier League title with Kolkata Knight Riders as a mentor.

As a player, Gambhir had already achieved the T20 World Cup, 50-over World Cup, Asia Cup, and IPL titles, making him one of Indian cricket's most decorated figures.

Why Did Gambhir Keep Players Away from Social Media?

Speaking to ANI, Gambhir explained that one of the key reasons behind India's success was keeping players away from social media and outside distractions.

He said the team intentionally reduced "outside noise" during the tournament, especially the pressure created by public expectations and online criticism.

He stressed that players are human and naturally make mistakes, so shielding them from criticism was essential to allow them to focus on performance.

“So I think it was very important for me and I think it was very important for the boys to be away from social media and glad they were able to do that for the last one month," he added.

How Does Gautam Gambhir Compare Social Media Criticism Today with His Playing Days?

"I was very fortunate that when I was playing, there was no social media. Yes, there used to be a lot of criticism at that time, but it was a lot in print and electronically. But in today's day and age, I think these boys go through a lot more than what we went through when I was playing,” he said.

“So it is very important for someone to protect them and keep them away from social media as well. Because, see, the problem in social media is that tomorrow you can create a narrative against anyone by doing anything. And the reality is not that,” he added.

“Before this, in our time, whatever was said, there was some truth in it. But today, whether you take social media or critics, or YouTubers, who only work for views and likes, they have to say negative things to gain views," he said.

Gambhir emphasised that his accountability lies with players and genuine cricket fans rather than social media opinion.

"I am not accountable to what people say on social media. I am accountable to my players," he said.

"I am accountable to a common normal fan. Who neither cares about views nor TRPs or their western interest in Indian cricket. I am only accountable to them. And if I am accountable to them, I will be the first one to put my hand up and say that yes, I have made a mistake. And everyone should be allowed to make mistakes,” the India head coach added.

How Does Gautam Gambhir Approach Mistakes While Managing His Players?

“I have made mistakes. I might make mistakes in future as well," he added.

"A bad decision with the right intention is acceptable. A wrong decision with the wrong intention is not acceptable. I will make wrong decisions. I will make the right decisions. It's a sport. It's not like, tell me one person who will make all the right decisions in sport. And in future also, I will,” Gambhir said.

“There are certain decisions which will go the other way. But the intention will never be compromised," he added.

"My job is not to prove my critics wrong. My job is to prove my players right. That is my job. I look at things from a very different angle because I have never looked at my job as proving something to someone,” the head coach added.

“I have to prove to my players that I'm the one who's going to be like a shield to them and more importantly, I need to have faith and trust in my players and I've said it during my press conferences as well," he said.

How Does Gambhir Defend His Players’ Aggression on the Field?

Gambhir also addressed the on-field incident between Arshdeep Singh and Daryl Mitchell during the T20 World Cup final, when Arshdeep’s throw hit Mitchell after conceding consecutive sixes.

The pacer was fined 15% of his match fee for a Level 1 breach of the ICC Code of Conduct.

Defending Arshdeep, Gambhir pointed out that similar incidents occurred frequently in the past but are now amplified on social media.

"That is okay. You're representing your country. You're bound to show aggression. There's nothing wrong with that. No bowler likes to get hit for two sixes. And that is the kind of response I want to see from my players. And there is nothing wrong,” Gambhir said.

“Or in fact, even if sorry is not said, I was absolutely fine with it. I was absolutely fine. He doesn't need to say sorry. Yes, it's good on him that he apologised. But on a cricket field, there are no friends. Neither are there any enemies," Gambhir added.

Why Is Test Cricket Extremely Close to Gautam Gambhir’s Heart?

Looking ahead, Gambhir has set his sights on Test cricket and aims to guide India to the ICC World Test Championship final.

"Test cricket is very close to my heart. That one format is extremely, extremely close," he said.

"And I hope that first we can qualify for the World Test Championship final. That's my next target. And we still have, what, nine test matches to go? And the focus is going to be there because I feel that yes, we've gone through a transition in red ball cricket, and it is always difficult as compared to white ball cricket," he added.

He acknowledged the challenges of red-ball cricket during a transitional phase and highlighted the importance of backing young players.

"And there are these young boys who we will keep backing in red ball cricket because test cricket is never easy. So the next target is that hopefully we can qualify for the World Test Championship," Gambhir added.

On his passion for Test cricket, Gambhir said, "I think most of the boys in that dressing room want to do well in Test cricket. Because that is where legacies are made. That is where you feel content when you come back.”

“That's the only format which gives you the opportunity to score a hundred, double hundred and a triple hundred," Gambhir said.

"No other format gives you that opportunity. And when you go through those five days of hard work and when you get the results, there is no more satisfaction than getting a Test win under your belt, whether it is the T20 World Cup final, whether it is a 50-over game. Test cricket gives you ultimate happiness,” he added.

(With inputs from ANI)