A recent video featuring former cricketer Gautam Gambhir has taken the internet by storm. The clip shows Gambhir making a controversial gesture towards fans during a rain break in India’s Asia Cup 2023 encounter against Nepal. Captured at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, this brief video has sparked heated debates and assumptions across social media platforms. Gambhir, who is currently a commentator and expert for the tournament, was walking back into the stadium when the incident occurred.
However, before jumping to conclusions, it’s essential to consider Gambhir’s own explanation of the situation. In response to the viral video, the former cricketer clarified that the crowd was comprised of Pakistani fans. According to him, these fans were chanting anti-India slogans and making comments about Kashmir. He stated, “As an Indian, I can’t take anyone saying this about my country, hence I reacted this way.”
Clearly, Gambhir suggests that the picture is far more complicated than what the short clip shows. With social media’s tendency to jump on brief snippets without full context, it’s critical to pause and consider the backdrop against which this event unfolded. Gambhir’s assertion offers a lens through which the incident must be reevaluated.
Interestingly, the fans chanting “Kohli-Kohli” might have been adding another layer of complexity to the scene. Earlier this year, Gambhir and Indian cricket star Virat Kohli had a public feud during the Indian Premier League. For many, it was tempting to link the gesture to this previous tension between the two cricketers. Yet, according to Gambhir, this assumption could not be further from the truth.
It’s worth noting that Gambhir has been outspoken in his views, particularly concerning Pakistan. His recent comments reiterate this, pointing to a deeply ingrained sense of national pride that prompted his reaction. “What you see on social media isn’t always the correct picture,” he cautioned. This serves as a timely reminder in an age where information, and often misinformation, circulates at breakneck speed.
Gautam Gambhir Has Reacted To The Viral ‘Middle-Finger’ Video

Gautam Gambhir on the middle-finger viral video: “The crowd that was made up of Pakistani fans were shouting anti india slogans were also passing comments on Kashmir. As an Indian I can’t take anyone saying this about my country hence reacted this way. What you see on social media isn’t always the correct picture.”
Gautam Gambhir on the middle-finger viral video: “The crowd that was made up of Pakistani fans were shouting anti india slogans were also passing comments on Kashmir. As an Indian I can’t take anyone saying this about my country hence reacted this way. What you see on social…
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) September 4, 2023
I am proud of the way @GautamGambhir gave it back to the rowdy Pakistanis.
He is a true patriot and someone who will not tolerate even a word against India.
I’m proud of Gautam Gambhir 🇮🇳
— Madhav Sharma (@HashTagCricket) September 4, 2023
#WATCH | Kandy, Sri Lanka | On his recent viral video during Asia Cup 2023, former cricketer and BJP MP Gautam Gambhir says, "What is shown on social media has no truth in it because people show whatever they want to show. The truth about the video that went viral is that if you… pic.twitter.com/RX4MJVhmyd
— ANI (@ANI) September 4, 2023
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The clip featuring Gautam Gambhir’s gesture during the Asia Cup 2023 is a classic example of how easily context can be stripped away in the digital age. While the video did stir controversy, it’s crucial to approach such instances with a grain of salt. Gambhir’s own clarifications underscore the need for a fuller understanding of events, especially when they generate heated public discourse. Without this, we run the risk of perpetuating incomplete or distorted narratives, which does a disservice to both the individuals involved and the public at large.