Watch: Gautam Gambhir, a commentator at the 2023 Asia Cup, showed the middle finger to the crowd after they taunted him with chants.

A viral clip circulating on social media shows the crowd chanting either “Kohli” or “Dhoni”, just as an agitated Gambhir Gambhir was making his way back from the ground. Gambhir has a sour history with both MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli, and had a war of words with the latter in IPL 2023.

Over the last decade, the feud between the two has intensified. Gambhir has been accused of being “jealous” of his statemate Kohli’s rise.

Gambhir has also been vocal about the media’s excess praise of Dhoni’s six that had helped India win the World Cup in 2011. Gambhir, who rescued India from 31-2 with a fine 97 in a run chase of 275, did not win the Player of the Match. Dhoni, who walked out at No.5 after India recovered to 114-3, walking away with the honours for his 91 not out.

Gambhir alleges that all the credit for the win has gone to captain Dhoni, while the remaining players continue to jostle for the spotlight.

What happened between Gambhir and the crowd?

Gambhir, one of the commentators at the Asia Cup, was seen heading back from the field. He crossed the boundary and was passing the spectators, when he was attacked with chants of “Dhoni, Dhoni” or “Kohli, Kohli”, with the exact shouts being drowned down.

Gambhir looked back at the bunch of supporters and flipped the finger before walking away nonchalantly.

Gambhir issues clarification

Gambhir later issued a clarification while speaking to reporters, saying that he responded to anti-India slogans by Pakistan fans during the game, and not to “Dhoni Dhoni” or “Kohli Kohli” screams.

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.”

Watch Gautam Gambhir here:

Gambhir showing the middle finger to people shouting Kohli..Kohli???

Why this hate?pic.twitter.com/oeuJnkIHf7

— Kapil (@kapsology) September 4, 2023