'Pak fans were chanting anti-India slogans': Gambhir claims after row over obscene gesture

After the video wherein former India opener Gautam Gambhir was seen showing his middle finger to spectators during the Asia Cup match against Pakistan went viral, the cricketer has claimed that he was just reacting to "anti-India slogans" from a section of the crowd.

The footage that went viral on social media showed Gambhir making an obscene gesture at the crowd during the match, which was later abandoned due to incessant rain. The video irked cricket fans who accused Gambhir of losing his temper as many speculated that he got agitated by the ‘Kohli-Kohli’ chants at the match venue. 

However, Gambhir said his reaction was a riposte to a section of Pakistan fans. "A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes. Not everything is as it seems. Any Indian would react how I did to the kind of slogans used against our nation. I love our players & I love my country," Gambhir said.

He later added that what was shown on social media had no truth in it. "There were 2-3 Pakistanis there who were speaking anti-India things and things on Kashmir. So, it was my natural reaction. I can’t hear anything against my country. So, that was my reaction," Gambhir told ANI.

"When you come to watch sport don’t indulge in political sloganeering. If you are shouting anti-India slogans and Kashmir slogans you can’t expect me to keep quiet. Social media never gives you the full picture," Gambhir told media persons.

However, a section of the media reported that chants of "Kohli, Kohli" were heard when Gambhir was walking back to the broadcasting area.

Gambhir and Kohli were seen having a bitter altercation during the IPL match between  Royal Challengers Bangalore and Lucknow Super Giants in April. Gambhir, the global mentor of the LSG franchise, was seen on camera having a heated exchange with Kohli after the match.