Gautam Gambhir Unveils His Playful Side on Netflix’s ‘The Great Indian Kapil Show’ Cricket Special
In a delightful and laughter-filled episode of Netflix’s The Great Indian Kapil Show, cricket took centre stage — but not in the usual intense, high-stakes fashion. Instead, the audience was treated to a refreshing glimpse into the lighter, funnier sides of some of India’s top cricketers.
And while the lineup featured several big names — including the mischievous Rishabh Pant, the ever-charming Yuzvendra Chahal, and the rising star Abhishek Sharma — it was the usually stoic and serious Gautam Gambhir who unexpectedly stole the show with his quick wit and surprising sense of humour.
Gambhir’s Unexpected Comic Timing Leaves Audience in Splits
Gambhir, widely known for his straightforward and no-nonsense demeanour both on and off the cricket field, shocked fans and viewers with his sharp sense of humour and spontaneous punchlines. Matching host Kapil Sharma quip for quip, Gambhir proved that while he may have built his legacy on discipline and focus, he’s no stranger to well-timed banter.
One of the most talked-about moments came when Rishabh Pant, in response to a playful question, was asked to name the team’s ‘Jethani’ — the player who bosses everyone around. Without missing a beat, Pant named Rohit Sharma. “Rohit bhai is like that. He comes on strong and takes charge,” Pant said, sparking laughter on the set.
Gambhir quickly jumped in with a tongue-in-cheek remark, “Ab toh retire ho gaya. Haan, naam abhi lo,” implying that it was safer to name the former captain now that he had hung up his boots. The comment, coming from Gambhir of all people, left even Kapil momentarily stunned and the audience in peals of laughter.
Rishabh Pant Balances Mischief with Introspection
Pant, known for his cheeky charm, was in his element, frequently sparring with Kapil in a light-hearted war of words. In a humorous exchange, Pant boldly asked Kapil, “Aap kya karte ho jab aapse zyada funny koi saamne hota hai?” Without missing a beat, Kapil shot back, “Main usse cut kar deta hoon,” — a hilarious moment that brought the house down with laughter.
However, the episode wasn’t all fun and games. Pant also took a moment to share a heartfelt reflection on his traumatic car accident and the difficult journey of recovery that followed. Speaking candidly, he said, “Jab accident hua, toh itni saari dawayaan andar chali gayi thi… system kharaab ho gaya that.
Kuch khaya nahi jaata tha, kuch feel nahi hota tha. 2-3 mahine sirf khichdi khayi… sab simplified rakhna pada.” His raw honesty moved many in the audience and highlighted the courage behind his comeback to cricket.
Navjot Singh Sidhu, who returned to the show this season alongside Archana Puran Singh, responded in his trademark humorous style, “Oh ho! But now you’re making all of them eat that khichdi, right?” deftly swinging the tone back to comedy and keeping the audience entertained.
Chahal and Abhishek Light Up the Stage with Relatable Cricket Banter
Yuzvendra Chahal, always game for a bit of self-mockery, brought his brand of humour to the episode. With a grin, he quipped, “Catch kisi se bhi drop ho sakta hai, chahe easy ho ya tough…
lekin jab sixer lagta hai, toh camera sirf aap par hi hota hai!” The crowd roared in recognition — every cricket fan knows the dreaded spotlight that follows a dropped catch.
Abhishek Sharma, the youngest of the lot, brought a charming perspective to the show. He shared that he had recently taken up journaling and credited fellow cricketer Shikhar Dhawan for the inspiration.
With a playful jab at Chahal, he said, “He dropped one of my catches — helped me out!” The camaraderie and teasing between the players were palpable, adding to the warmth of the episode.
Sidhu’s Signature Shayari and Kapil’s Classic Roasting
Of course, no episode is complete without Sidhu’s poetic one-liners and flamboyant style. True to form, he likened Chahal to a “chhota teer” — a tiny arrow that still hits the mark — and dropped a classic Sidhuism about switching girlfriends more often than cricket teams.
Kapil Sharma, never one to let an opportunity slip, teased Sidhu in return. “Thank God Instagram wasn’t around during your playing days,” he said with a smirk, prompting roars of laughter from the cast and audience alike.
Kiku Sharda, known for his zany characters on the show, joined in on the fun, as did Pant, as they poked fun at Chahal over a lipstick mark on his shirt — a classic comedy setup that had the studio audience howling.
When it came to matters of the heart, Chahal didn’t shy away from giving an update. With a mischievous grin, he said, “India jaan chuka hai… 4 mahine pehle,” confirming his relationship status in the most Chahal way possible.
A Winning Mix of Laughter and Life
