A video involving former India captain Virat Kohli is doing rounds on social media that has left the fans stunned and furious.
In that video, Virat Kohli is seen chewing gum during India’s national anthem right before the start of the third ODI against South Africa in Cape Town. A 22-second video clip, which has gone viral in quick time, shows some of the Indian players and the coaching staff singing the national anthem together.
However, Kohli, who is not the Indian captain anymore in any of the three formats, is seen chewing gum at the same time. The next frame of the video, at the 15-second mark, further captures Kohli staring with his head titled slightly down while the rest of the players sing with their heads straight or high.
Here’s the video:
Virat Kohli busy chewing something while National Anthem is playing. Ambassador of the nation.@BCCI pic.twitter.com/FiOA9roEkv
— Vaayumaindan (@bystanderever) January 23, 2022
This action of India’s talisman batsman has left many Indian fans angry and Kohli has received criticism from different corners for this. Enraged netizens called this act “shameless” and “embarrassing”.
Here are some of the reactions:
Such a shameless act.This is rediculous.
— vivek sharma (@sharma547vivek) January 23, 2022
Brain-fade moment
— Dinesh Pujare ?? (@Dinupujare) January 23, 2022
So sad ? in this politics you can’t disrespect national anthem Mr. Virat kohli. Go to pakistan if you don’t like BCCI. https://t.co/azSFVIbpPG
— Captain Sukhveer Punia (@IMsukhveer45) January 23, 2022
Throwing away my Kohli Fan Badge
Not my captain.Oh!!! he is not captaining anymore. #SAvIND https://t.co/w3gXc02KFm
— R S (@monuq) January 23, 2022
@BCCI @imVkohli @AnushkaSharma Virat when u became more I@portent than national Anthem Shame on ur u are become so egoistic in all ur dealings Shame ???????@RDravid19 Need action he has shown disrespect to 130 Cr people ???? @VHPDigital @vhsindia @BajrangdalOrg https://t.co/B0lU27pOVS
— Gsnprssad ?? (@Gsnprasad3) January 23, 2022
Shameful act by Kohli, @BCCI should make him retire after today’s match immediately https://t.co/5YmLIg3RX9
— MK (@NotMK45) January 23, 2022
Disgusting ? https://t.co/C7ydFTn2Da
— Anmol Dwivedi (@im_rishu013) January 23, 2022
Kohli, who stepped down as the Test captain after the Test series loss, registered scores of 51 and 0 in the last two ODIs.
South Africa set India a target of 288
Meanwhile, South African batters have once again troubled the Indian bowlers. Quinton de Kock marched the innings from the front with a stunning century. The left-hander scored 124 runs off 130 balls, in a knock laced with 12 exquisite boundaries and 2 powerful sixes.
Rassie van der Dussen continues his superb form in home ODIs and registered another fifty.
For India, who made four changes for this dead rubber, Jasprit Bumrah was once again the best bowler on the show with figures of 2/52. Deepak Chahar, coming in place of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, gave India two early strikes, but then faded away once the ball became older. Prasidh Krishna was expensive but managed to pick 3 wickets in the end.
Yuzvendra Chahal picked one wicket while Jayant Yadav went wicketless in his 10 overs.
