Portrait of Gautam Gambhir

Photo: Blnguyen · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Born in India · Nationality Indian — Sport / politics / media

Gautam Gambhir

Documented profile covering 24 controversies, including “Altercation with Shahid Afridi and ICC sanctions” and “Elbowing Shane Watson: one-Test suspension”.

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Profile No. 0266 · Updated on 12 October 2026

Portrait of Gautam Gambhir

Photo: Blnguyen · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

24Documented controversies
29Sources
0Formal charge · all time
0Conviction

I. Documented controversies

01

2026

Legal action against deepfakes and AI-generated content using his identity

Civil / administrative proceedings

Gambhir approached the Delhi High Court over accounts using his name, face or voice in AI-generated content capable of misleading the public.

State of the evidence
Civil action documented
Legal status — source text
Civil proceedings before Delhi High Court
Attribution
Gambhir is the claimant and target of falsified content

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    Hindustan TimesGambhir files suit against fabricated AI contentMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 22 August 2026

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02

2026

2026 criticism of management style: accusation of "bullying" behaviour

No legal proceedings

Former international player Atul Wassan described Gambhir as a "bully" and claimed that his style created dissatisfaction in the dressing room.

State of the evidence
Public criticism and accounts of dissatisfaction documented
Legal status — source text
No disciplinary or legal proceedings
Attribution
Managerial responsibility alleged

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    Times of IndiaEx-India cricketer calls Gambhir a bullyMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 22 August 2026

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03

2026

Tensions over Rohit Sharma's ODI future and 2027 World Cup

No legal proceedings

Reports described a deterioration in the Rohit–Gambhir relationship concerning the captain's ODI future and planning towards 2027.

State of the evidence
Consistent media accounts and BCCI denials/qualifications documented
Legal status — source text
No disciplinary proceedings
Attribution
Shared decision-making responsibility

Sources · 1

  1. [1]

Last verified: 22 August 2026

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04

2021–2025

COVID Favipiravir distribution by his foundation: Drugs Act proceedings

Investigation

The Gautam Gambhir Foundation distributed medicines, including Favipiravir, during the COVID crisis. The Drugs Control Department alleged storage and distribution without the required authorisation.

State of the evidence
Distribution, investigation and proceedings documented
Legal status — source text
Proceedings quashed by Delhi High Court in 2025
Attribution
Institutional/personal responsibility examined

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    Navbharat TimesDelhi HC quashes case against Gambhir FoundationPressHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    Indian KanoonGautam Gambhir Foundation v Drugs Control DepartmentCourt recordHigh reliability

Last verified: 22 August 2026

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05

July 2025

Clash with The Oval groundsman

Civil / administrative proceedings

Before the final England–India Test at The Oval, Gambhir had a verbal altercation with head groundsman Lee Fortis.

State of the evidence
Public altercation documented
Legal status — source text
No formal sanction identified
Attribution
Direct personal responsibility in a workplace dispute

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    ReutersIndia head coach Gambhir clashes with ground staffNews agencyVery high reliability

Last verified: 22 August 2026

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06

2016–2024

Property case: cheating allegations against developers with whom he was associated

Investigation

Buyers accused companies and individuals linked to a property development, including Gambhir, of deceiving them about the delivery of homes.

State of the evidence
Complaint, earlier warrant and judicial decisions documented
Legal status — source text
Complex criminal proceedings; Delhi HC stayed an order requiring further investigation in 2024
Attribution
Personal responsibility alleged because of his role as director/ambassador; guilt not established

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
  2. [2]
    Indian KanoonGautam Gambhir v StateCourt recordHigh reliability

Last verified: 22 August 2026

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07

2023–2024

Defamation lawsuit against Punjab Kesari referred to mediation

Civil / administrative proceedings

Gambhir sued Punjab Kesari and certain journalists, alleging that a series of articles portrayed him maliciously.

State of the evidence
Legal action documented
Legal status — source text
Civil proceedings referred to mediation
Attribution
Gambhir is the claimant

Sources · 1

  1. [1]

Last verified: 22 August 2026

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08

2022–2023

Library/kitchen on former MCD land: allegations of unauthorised occupation

Civil / administrative proceedings

Opponents accused Gambhir of occupying former municipal land without authorisation for a library/community initiative.

State of the evidence
Allegations, court summons and clarification documented
Legal status — source text
Civil claim settled/withdrawn
Attribution
Personal responsibility alleged; no definitive illegality established

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    The Indian ExpressDelhi court settles suit over library constructionPressVery high reliability
  2. [2]
    Times of IndiaLand row: summons to GambhirMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 22 August 2026

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09

2022–2023

Repeated disputes with Delhi BJP elected representatives and officials

No legal proceedings

Delhi BJP officials described highly strained relations with Gambhir; letters and calls for disciplinary action followed several disputes with local elected representatives.

State of the evidence
Internal complaints and public altercations documented
Legal status — source text
No legal proceedings
Attribution
Disputed political responsibility

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    The Indian ExpressDelhi BJP has a Gambhir problemPressVery high reliability
  2. [2]
    The Indian ExpressSpat between MP Gambhir and BJP MLAPressVery high reliability

Last verified: 22 August 2026

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10

May 2023

Another IPL altercation with Virat Kohli: 100% match-fee fine

Civil / administrative proceedings

After a Lucknow Super Giants–Royal Challengers Bangalore match, Gambhir and Kohli had a heated exchange requiring other players to intervene.

State of the evidence
Sporting sanction documented
Legal status — source text
IPL fine of 100% of match fee
Attribution
Shared personal responsibility

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    ReutersKohli, Gambhir docked full match feesNews agencyVery high reliability

Last verified: 22 August 2026

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11

December 2023

Confrontation with S. Sreesanth in Legends League Cricket: allegation that he called him a "fixer"

Civil / administrative proceedings

Sreesanth accused Gambhir of repeatedly insulting him by calling him a "fixer", referring to his former IPL case.

State of the evidence
Altercation, Sreesanth's allegation and league notice documented
Legal status — source text
League disciplinary proceedings
Attribution
Personal responsibility alleged for disputed remarks

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    The Indian ExpressSreesanth vs Gautam Gambhir controversyPressVery high reliability

Last verified: 22 August 2026

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12

September 2023

Middle-finger gesture towards supporters during Asia Cup: disputed explanation

No legal proceedings

A video showed Gambhir making a middle-finger gesture towards supporters. He claimed to have been reacting to anti-India slogans concerning Kashmir.

State of the evidence
Video and explanation documented; fact-check of the viral audio
Legal status — source text
No legal proceedings identified
Attribution
Direct personal responsibility for the gesture

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    The QuintGambhir middle-finger video fact-checkFact-checkHigh reliability

Last verified: 22 August 2026

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13

November 2021

Death threats in emails claiming to be from "ISIS Kashmir"

Investigation — against a third party

Protagonist is the victim — these proceedings are not counted in their formal charges or convictions.

While a BJP MP, Gambhir reported several emails containing death threats and a video filmed outside his home.

State of the evidence
Police complaints and emails documented
Legal status — source text
Police investigation; Gambhir is the victim
Role of the person profiled
Protagonist is the victim

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    India TodayGambhir gets second ISIS threat mailMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 22 August 2026

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14

April 2019

Unauthorised election rally: action by Election Commission

Allegations

The Election Commission asked police to take action concerning a rally attributed to Gambhir's campaign that had been organised without prior authorisation.

State of the evidence
Election and police action documented
Legal status — source text
Complaint/administrative action; no final conviction identified
Attribution
Campaign responsibility

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    The Indian ExpressEC asks Delhi Police to file against GambhirPressVery high reliability

Last verified: 22 August 2026

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15

May 2019

Sexist pamphlet targeting Atishi: allegation, denial and defamation proceedings

Allegations

Atishi and the AAP accused Gambhir and the BJP of circulating an anonymous pamphlet containing sexist and personal attacks.

State of the evidence
Public allegation documented; attribution to Gambhir not established
Legal status — source text
Legal notices/cross-proceedings; author not established
Attribution
Personal responsibility alleged but not established

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    The Indian ExpressSmear pamphlet on AtishiPressVery high reliability

Last verified: 22 August 2026

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16

2019

Allegation of holding two voter cards: complaint subsequently dismissed

Allegations

Atishi accused Gambhir of being registered to vote in two Delhi constituencies and of omitting the information from his election affidavit.

State of the evidence
Complaint and allegations documented
Legal status — source text
Criminal complaint dismissed
Attribution
Personal responsibility alleged and subsequently not upheld

Sources · 2

  1. [1]
    Hindustan TimesAAP alleges Gambhir has two voter IDsMediaHigh reliability
  2. [2]
    AajTakAtishi case against Gambhir dismissedPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 22 August 2026

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17

November 2019

Absence from parliamentary pollution meeting amid jalebi controversy

No legal proceedings

Gambhir was criticised for missing a parliamentary meeting on Delhi pollution while photographs circulated of him eating jalebis in Indore.

State of the evidence
Absence and controversy documented
Legal status — source text
No legal proceedings
Attribution
Personal political responsibility

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    The Indian ExpressGambhir skips pollution meet, faces heatPressVery high reliability

Last verified: 22 August 2026

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18

2017

Dispute with coach KP Bhaskar and contested DDCA sanction

Civil / administrative proceedings

A dispute between Gambhir and Delhi coach KP Bhaskar led to DDCA proceedings over conduct and language deemed inappropriate.

State of the evidence
Internal dispute and disciplinary proceedings documented
Legal status — source text
Internal sanction contested and subsequently reviewed
Attribution
Personal responsibility alleged

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    The Indian ExpressReprieve for Gautam Gambhir in coach disputePressVery high reliability

Last verified: 22 August 2026

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19

2017

Legal action over the name "Gautam Gambhir" against restaurants operated by a namesake

Civil / administrative proceedings

The cricketer took legal action against a restaurateur also named Gautam Gambhir, arguing that the public might believe the establishments were associated with his celebrity status.

State of the evidence
Civil proceedings documented
Attribution
Gambhir is the claimant

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    CaseMineGautam Gambhir v. D.A.P. & Co.Court recordHigh reliability

Last verified: 22 August 2026

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20

October 2015

Altercation with Manoj Tiwary in Ranji Trophy and fine

Civil / administrative proceedings

Gambhir and Manoj Tiwary exchanged insults and confronted each other during a Delhi–Bengal match.

State of the evidence
Altercation and sanctions documented
Attribution
Shared personal responsibility

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    Hindustan TimesGambhir, Tiwary fined for spatMediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 22 August 2026

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21

April 2013

First IPL altercation with Virat Kohli

Civil / administrative proceedings

While captaining Kolkata Knight Riders, Gambhir had an aggressive exchange with Virat Kohli after the latter's dismissal, and the players had to be separated.

State of the evidence
Altercation documented
Legal status — source text
IPL disciplinary measures
Attribution
Shared personal responsibility

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    ESPNcricinfoKohli and Gambhir warned after spatPressHigh reliability

Last verified: 22 August 2026

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22

June 2010

Heated exchange with Kamran Akmal during Asia Cup

No legal proceedings

Gambhir and wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal had an on-field verbal confrontation following repeated appeals.

State of the evidence
Public incident documented
Legal status — source text
No criminal sanction
Attribution
Shared personal responsibility

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    The Indian ExpressKamran Akmal-Gautam Gambhir spat revisitedPressVery high reliability

Last verified: 22 August 2026

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23

October–November 2008

Elbowing Shane Watson: one-Test suspension

Civil / administrative proceedings

During the Delhi Test against Australia, Gambhir elbowed Shane Watson while running between the wickets.

State of the evidence
Disciplinary offence and ICC sanction documented
Legal status — source text
One-Test suspension following appeal
Attribution
Direct personal responsibility

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    ICCGambhir banned for one TestOfficial documentVery high reliability

Last verified: 22 August 2026

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24

November 2007

Altercation with Shahid Afridi and ICC sanctions

Civil / administrative proceedings

During an India–Pakistan ODI in Kanpur, Gambhir and Shahid Afridi had a verbal and physical altercation following a collision. The ICC found both players in breach of its code of conduct.

State of the evidence
Altercation and ICC sanctions documented
Legal status — source text
ICC disciplinary sanctions; no criminal proceedings
Attribution
Direct personal responsibility with shared responsibility

Sources · 1

  1. [1]
    ICCGambhir and Afridi fined for ICC Code of Conduct breachesOfficial documentVery high reliability

Last verified: 22 August 2026

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II. Constellation of documented links

  • Linked profile (portrait or initials) — click to open it
  • Line width: number of documented references
  • Hover over or tap a line: controversies and sources

Two profiles are linked when a documented controversy of one names the other. The link points to that controversy and its sources; it does not indicate a personal relationship.

List of documented links (3)
  1. S. Sreesanth2 documented references
  2. Virat Kohli2 documented references
  3. Rohit Sharma1 documented reference

III. Has something changed?

A new court decision, a missing source, a mistake? Tell us what should be updated: every request is read by the editorial team.

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