Virat Kohli, Kapil Dev React to Shahid Afridi’s Controversial Statement On Kashmir

Virat Kohli indirectly said that he doesn't support Shahid Afridi's statement on Kashmir

By: Arun Rawal |
April 4, 2018 6:02 pm

Former Pakistani cricketer Shahid Afridi’s tweet urging United Nations (UN) to intervene and resolve issues in ‘Indian Occupied Kashmir’ caused furore on social media. Even Delhi Daredevils (DD) skipper Gautam Gambhir confronted Afridi on Twitter and trolled him with remarks like ‘Under Nineteen’ and ‘retarded dictionary’. Now, Indian skipper Virat Kohli has also reacted to Afridi’s statement.

Here’s what the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) skipper had to say about Afridi’s comments while talking to media after the practice session:

As an Indian you want to express what is best for your nation & my interests are always for the benefit of our nation. If anything opposes it, I would never support it for sure: Virat Kohli on #ShahidAfridi (1/2) pic.twitter.com/EWUKQwlXec

— ANI (@ANI) April 4, 2018

But having said that, it’s a very personal choice for someone to comment about certain issues. Unless I have total knowledge of the issues & the intricacies of it I don’t engage in it but definitely your priority stays with your nation: Virat Kohli on #ShahidAfridi (2/2) pic.twitter.com/JFDwrbOMk5

— ANI (@ANI) April 4, 2018

Here’s what Afridi had tweeted –

Appalling and worrisome situation ongoing in the Indian Occupied Kashmir.Innocents being shot down by oppressive regime to clamp voice of self determination & independence. Wonder where is the @UN & other int bodies & why aren’t they making efforts to stop this bloodshed?

— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) April 3, 2018

Even former Indian World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev reacted to the 38-year-old’s statement. Kapil did not mince his words as he said,

Who is he? Why are we giving importance to him? We should not be giving importance to certain people: Kapil Dev, on #ShahidAfridi‘s tweet. pic.twitter.com/Cc4FdzxEx7

— ANI (@ANI) April 4, 2018

On April 4, Gambhir’s response to Afridi went viral as well. Here’s what he tweeted –

Media called me for reaction on @SAfridiOfficial tweet on OUR Kashmir & @UN. What’s there to say? Afridi is only looking for @UN which in his retarded dictionary means “UNDER NINTEEN” his age bracket. Media can relax, @SAfridiOfficial is celebrating a dismissal off a no- ball!!!

— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) April 3, 2018

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However, Kohli has had a good relationship with Afridi in the past. When Afridi retired from international cricket in 2017, Kohli sent his Indian cricket team jersey Number 18 to Afridi which also had signatures of his teammates. Kohli and Gambhir are currently gearing up for Indian Premier League (IPL) 2018 which kicks off on April 7.