Gautam Gambhir has clarified that he was responding to anti-India slogans and not to “Dhoni Dhoni” chants in the viral middle finger video that has been doing the rounds.
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A video of Gambhir giving the finger to a section of the Pallekele crowd went viral during the India-Nepal game at the 2023 Asia Cup. In the video, Gambhir can be seen walking through the stands when the crowd starts chanting “Dhoni Dhoni” or “Kohli Kohli” (the exact words are not clearly discernible). A visibly annoyed Gambhir flips the finger towards the crowd and walks off.
Gambhir has had a rough history with both Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni. His differences with Kohli have often led to heated on-field clashes in the IPL, while he has constantly commented on ‘hero worship’ and pointed out how players other than Dhoni do not get the credit they deserve for India winning the 2011 World Cup.
Reacting to the viral video, which appears to be from the game between India and Pakistan in Pallekele on September 2, Gambhir said that he was responding to anti-India slogans by Pakistani fans and not to “Dhoni Dhoni” or “Kohli Kohli” chants.
— Waleed 🇵🇰🇵🇸 (@WaleedMalik_9) September 4, 2023
Gambhir spoke to reporters on the sidelines of the India-Nepal game. When asked about whether he had been reacting to “Dhoni Dhoni” chants, he said, “First of all, I’d like to clarify that whatever’s shown on social media isn’t the truth.
“People can show whatever they want on social media. The truth about the viral video is that if you chant anti-India slogans or if you say Hindustan Murdabad (death to India) or if you talk about Kashmir, then this is how anyone will react.
“They won’t walk away smiling. There were a couple of Pakistani fans there who were chanting anti-India slogans and saying Hindustan Murdabad.”
Gambhir, a Member of Parliament for the BJP, the ruling party in India, said, “That (middle finger) is obviously a natural reaction. I can’t just stand and listen to anything that is said against my country. If someone constantly abuses me or my nation, do you expect me to smile and walk away? I am not that kind of a person.
“I would like to request people to support their team and not give any political reactions. There’s no need to raise the Kashmir issue or say anything derogatory about India. The Indian crowd was supporting their players, and that is how it should be. You have come to watch a match, right? There’s nothing political going on here.”
