Former India batsman Gautam Gambhir lashed out severely at the trollers of India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, who was taunted and teased as “panauti” (unlucky) following India’s loss in the World Cup 2023 final.
Australia ended India’s 10-match unbeaten streak in the World Cup 2023, defeating the hosts by 6 wickets in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium, with PM Modi in attendance.
This led to the opposition political parties, including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, and his followers labeling PM Modi as “panauti”. After India’s loss, PM Narendra Modi visited the Indian dressing room to boost the morale of the Indian players and coaches, and gave them words of praise for the effort in the tournament. While PM Modi was hailed by many for giving some words of strength in that tough time to the Indian players and coaches, a section of the media and fans didn’t appreciate that move and criticized it.
Gautam Gambhir, who is a cricketer-turned-politician and a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party, slammed those who called PM Modi “panauti”. Gambhir, who was part of India’s World Cup 2011 winning team, pointed out that the then Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, too, had met with the Indian team ahead of their semi-final against Pakistan in Mohali.
“The word that was used, ‘panauti’, it is probably the worst word that could’ve been used against anyone, particularly a prime minister of this country. In the 2011 Cricket World Cup semi-final, Dr. Manmohan Singh was there. Had we lost that match and he had come to meet us, what would’ve been wrong in that?,” Gautam Gambhir said in an interview with ANI.
Gautam Gambhir reveals why he supported Naveen-ul-Haq in his fight with Virat Kohli
Gambhir spoke on his tussle with Virat Kohli after Kohli’s altercation with Naveen-ul-Haq during the LSG vs RCB game in IPL 2023 in Lucknow.
Gautam Gambhir, who was the LSG mentor, said he will support his franchise’s player against anyone.
“As a mentor, no one can come and walk over my players and I’ve got a very different belief. Till the time game was on, I had no right to interfere but once the game was over, if someone still gets into a heated argument with my players, I’ve got all the rights to defend them,” added Gambhir.
Watch the interview here:
EP-120 with Gautam Gambhir premieres on Saturday at 5 PM IST
"No one can come and walk over my players," Gautam Gambhir on Naveen-ul-Haq controversy#ANIPodcastwithSmitaPrakash #GautamGambhir #Dhoni
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— ANI (@ANI) December 8, 2023
