While responding to a question on Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag has taken a jibe at politicians who are “there for their own ego”.

Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir opened together on numerous occasions across all three formats, and stitched many memorable stands together for India. They were part of the squads that won the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 World Cup.

Contesting for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Gambhir was elected MP of the Lok Sabha from the East Delhi constituency during the 2019 General Elections. He also commentates frequently during India matches, including in the 2023 Asia Cup, and is the mentor of the Lucknow Super Giants.

On X (Twitter), a user suggested that Sehwag should have become an MP before Gambhir. In response, Sehwag let know his opinion on politicians.

Incidents leading to the Sehwag lashing of Gambhir

On September 5, reports of India being renamed to Bharat – a version used in several Indian languages – surfaced. India named their World Cup squad not too long afterwards.

The BCCI shared the squad with the caption, “Here’s the #TeamIndia squad for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023”.

Here's the #TeamIndia squad for the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 🙌#CWC23 pic.twitter.com/EX7Njg2Tcv

— BCCI (@BCCI) September 5, 2023

Sehwag immediately suggested that the BCCI could write ‘Bharat’ instead, and requested the Secretary Jay Shah to change the name of the country for the World Cup on the jerseys.

Team India nahin #TeamBharat.
This World Cup as we cheer for Kohli , Rohit , Bumrah, Jaddu , may we have Bharat in our hearts and the players wear jersey which has “Bharat” @JayShah . https://t.co/LWQjjTB98Z

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) September 5, 2023

A user responded to Sehwag’s post by hinting that his comment was politically inclined, and that he “should’ve been MP before Gautam Gambhir.”

Sehwag hits out at Gambhir

Sehwag quoted the user, making it clear that he did not aspire to be a politician: most of them do not spare genuine time for people who have voted them into power.

I am not at all interested in politics. Have been approached by both major parties in the last two elections. My view is that most entertainers or sportsman should not enter politics as most are their for their own ego and hunger for power and barely spare genuine time for… https://t.co/wuodkpp6HT

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) September 5, 2023

“I am not at all interested in politics. Have been approached by both major parties [BJP, the ruling party, and the Indian National Congress, the main opposition] in the last two elections. My view is that most entertainers or sportsman should not enter politics as most are their [sic] for their own ego and hunger for power and barely spare genuine time for people, few are exceptions but generally most only do PR. I love being involved with cricket and commentating and being a part time MP whenever convenient is not something i ever aspire for.”