A video showing Virat Kohli appearing furious at chants targeting Gautam Gambhir at the Holkar Cricket Stadium has taken social media by storm, racking up millions of views in a short span. The clip seemed to show Kohli reacting angrily as fans shouted slogans against Gambhir, adding fuel to the already tense atmosphere around Indian cricket. However, the viral moment is not what it looks like.
The footage itself is real and was recorded in Indore during the post-match presentation ceremony after India suffered a 41-run defeat that sealed the series loss. Virat Kohli can be seen standing alongside Gautam Gambhir, Shreyas Iyer, Harshit Rana, KL Rahul and other team members.
Here is the video:
View this post on InstagramADVERTISEMENT
Click to watch this video directly on Instagram
However, what makes the video misleading is not the visuals but the sound.
The audio used in the clip has been digitally added from an entirely different incident. The chants heard in the viral video originally surfaced during the Guwahati Test against South Africa last year, a match India also lost. On that occasion, frustrated fans openly targeted Gautam Gambhir and the situation was serious enough for members of the Indian support staff and senior players to step in and calm things down. That incident was widely reported and confirmed by journalists present at the ground.
Here is the video:
https://x.com/rushiii_12/status/1993614860203257891
Watch this video directly on X by clicking here
In contrast, there have been no verified reports from media personnel in Indore confirming similar chants during the recent match. While it cannot be ruled out that a few fans may have expressed their anger, the specific viral video circulating online has clearly been edited to exaggerate the moment.
The timing of the clip has added the pressure on Gautam Gambhir who is already under scrutiny after another home series defeat. Losing to a New Zealand side missing several first-choice players has raised questions about his leadership, especially after earlier public confidence in his white-ball record.
Although Gautam Gambhir is expected to continue in his role until the 2027 ODI World Cup, with a major focus on the 2026 T20 World Cup, repeated setbacks like these could make his position increasingly difficult to defend.
