Fact Check: Is Gautam Gambhir's viral middle-finger video true?

Former India cricketer Gautam Gambhir grabbed headlines when he made an obscene gesture to the audience during the ongoing Asia Cup 2023 in Sri Lanka. As per a clip that went viral on social media, Gambhir can be seen showing the middle finger to the fans as the latter chanted the names of 'Virat Kohli' and 'MS Dhoni'.

The fans were convinced that the chants of the aforementioned players irked Gambhir which prompted the latter to flip the bird while being escorted out of the stadium by the officials. While numerous reports claimed that the controversial gesture occurred during the India-Nepal match which took place on Monday, September 4, the incident originally took place during the high-voltage clash against arch-rivals Pakistan on September 2.

A picture making rounds on social media suggests otherwise as it shows Gambhir donning a white shirt during the India-Pakistan match (same as the one in the viral clip). However, the former cricketer wore a black t-shirt during the India-Nepal fixture.

Later, Gambhir provided a clarification that there were anti-India remarks passed which left him fuming and prompted him to react the way he did. Gambhir also interacted with the media regarding the incident and further took to his social media handle to share his stance on the matter. 

“‘A lie can travel half way 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 shared on his ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) handle.

"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 raise anti-India slogans and speak about Kashmir then the person before you will obviously react and not smile and leave. 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,” he told media.

Meanwhile, team India cemented their place in the Super Four stage following a 10-wicket win against Nepal in a rain-shortened affair. Earlier, Pakistan became the first side in the Asia Cup 2023 to make their place in the knockout rounds following the no result against the Men in Blue.