Goa: As Prakash Sankaranarayanan sat in the audience at Goafest 2025, he expected insight. What he didn’t expect was to walk away deeply moved. In a session that shattered conventions and cut through the usual celebrity gloss, Gautam Gambhir—cricket icon and now Team India’s head coach—delivered something far more impactful than anecdotes or highlights. In conversation with CNN-News18’s Anand Narasimhan, Gambhir offered an unfiltered glimpse into what real leadership looks like: grounded in purpose, driven by values, and unshakably patriotic. What unfolded wasn’t just a dialogue—it was a lesson in conviction, the kind that stays with you long after the applause fades.
India First, Always
In a moment that electrified the room, Gambhir addressed the highly charged topic of India-Pakistan cricket relations during times of geopolitical tension. “Sports, Bollywood, art and culture… everything else can wait,” he declared, when asked about matches during terror-sponsoring periods. Anand’s reference to the lucrative TRPs and advertising during Indo-Pak games was met with a powerful response: “Doesn’t matter if monies are important, but India is more important.” It was a clear stand—value over valuation—and it resonated deeply with a room full of media and marketing professionals.
Responsibility Before Recognition
Gambhir’s reflections on his unfulfilled dream to serve in the armed forces struck a deeply emotional chord. “If there’s anything I could give everything up for, it would be to be in the Army,” he said. Addressing his brief stint in politics, Gambhir offered a refreshingly grounded view: “Being in AC rooms and commenting is easy. But being in the field, doing your bit, dirtying your hands to do good — that’s what counts.” He emphasized that India doesn’t belong to any political party, but to its 140 crore citizens—a reminder of the kind of selfless leadership he espouses.
Honesty in Leadership
As head coach, Gambhir’s approach to leadership centers on humility and responsibility. “It’s always my responsibility to approach, not the player’s,” he said when asked how he would manage disagreements in the dressing room. His rejection of ego in leadership was a standout insight for business and sports managers alike. When Anand joked about handling issues “over coffee,” Gambhir’s dry yet sharp reply—“Why should I say honestly now? I’ve been honest all through”—won both laughs and applause.
Authenticity Above All
Closing with a simple yet profound piece of advice he received from Rahul Dravid—“Just be yourself”—Gambhir distilled his entire ethos into one line. That advice, he said, is what he would pass on to his successor someday. In a session full of candor and conviction, it was this message of authenticity that lingered longest.
Why It Matters
In an age of curated personas and polished pitches, Gambhir’s session was a refreshing deviation—raw, real, and relentlessly values-driven. His refusal to bend for optics, his clear-eyed understanding of responsibility, and his grounding in purpose make him not just a cricketing figure to watch, but a leadership voice worth listening to.
Goafest 2025 didn’t just witness a conversation—it experienced a statement. And if leadership is about walking your talk, Gautam Gambhir made it clear: he’s been doing that all along.
