Gautam Gambhir discussed his contentious action at the Asia Cup. Recall the buzz surrounding Gautam Gambhir’s intense confrontation with Virat Kohli in the 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL)?
Well, it seems Gambhir found himself in a similar situation during the India vs. Pakistan Asia Cup 2023 match in Sri Lanka, as a viral video depicted fans chanting Kohli’s name.
On Monday, a video emerged showing Gambhir being accompanied by an official, causing quite a stir on social media. Responding to the viral video, fans were convinced that Gambhir had retaliated with an inappropriate gesture towards ‘Kohli fans.’
He faced criticism on social media for appearing to lose his cool, supposedly provoked by the ‘Kohli-Kohli’ chants at the stadium. Did Gambhir’s fiery reaction solely stem from these chants? The former Indian cricketer has finally addressed the situation.
“I responded the way any Indian would”: Gambhir
Gambhir revealed that he was disturbed by certain Pakistan cricket team fans. On Monday, using X (formerly known as Twitter), he addressed his controversial action during the continental tournament.
“A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes. Not everything is as it seems. Any Indian would react how I did to the kind of slogans used against our nation. I love our players & I love my country,” Gambhir said.
“A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes”.
Not everything is as it seems. Any Indian would react how I did to the kind of slogans used against our nation. I love our players & I love my country. 🇮🇳🇮🇳
— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) September 4, 2023
During India’s match against Nepal, while speaking to the news agency ANI, Gambhir confirmed that he experienced Pakistani fans chanting anti-India slogans as he was exiting the field.
“What is shown on social media has no truth in it because people show whatever they want to show. There were 2-3 Pakistanis there who were speaking anti-India things and things on Kashmir. So, it was my natural reaction. I can’t hear anything against my country. So, that was my reaction,” Gambhir added.
GAUTAM Gambhir Showed middle finger to kohli – kohli chants!🥵#IndvsNeppic.twitter.com/9qthyDDxQn
— ᴘʀᴀᴛʜᴍᴇsʜ⁴⁵ (@45Fan_Prathmesh) September 4, 2023
Heated confrontation between Gambhir and Kohli in the IPL
Previously, Gambhir and Kohli engaged in a heated confrontation following Royal Challengers Bangalore’s victory over Lucknow Super Giants in the 2023 IPL. The LSG franchise’s global mentor confronted Kohli aggressively after the match.
Kohli also had intense disputes with Naveen-ul-Haq and Kyle Mayers during the lucrative league. Both the RCB star and the LSG mentor were fined 100 percent of their match fees at that juncture.
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