After taking retirement from professional cricket, Gautam Gambhir made his entry into politics by joining the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP).

However, the former India opener continues to be associated with cricket whether as a commentator or as a mentor for the IPL franchises.

See Also: “We will come back stronger”: Gautam Gambhir's message to LSG fans after exit from IPL

On being questioned over his IPL commitments despite being an active MP from the East Delhi Constituency, Gambhir recently gave a befitting reply.

“Why I commentate in IPL or work in it is because I spend INR 25 lakh every month to feed 5000 people. This translates to roughly Rs. 2.75 crore per year. I've also spent INR 25 lakh to build a library,” Gambhir said during a media conference.

“I spend all of this money from my own pocket and not from the MPLAD fund. The MPLAD fund doesn't run my kitchen or other things that I do. I don't have a tree in my house from where I can pluck money either.

“Only because I work, am I able to feed those 5000 people or establish that library. I have no shame in saying that I do commentary and work in the IPL. All of this that I do has an ultimate goal,” he added.

Notably, Gautam Gambhir runs a community kitchen in Gandhi Nagar called 'Jan Rasoi' that offers a meal for Rs. 1. He has also set up a library in the same area.

Gambhir was associated with Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the recently held Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Under his mentorship, LSG qualified for the playoffs in their maiden attempt.