Authors
Kushel HM is a mechanical engineer-turned-journalist, who loves all things football, tennis and films. He was with the news desk at the Hindustan Times, Mumbai, before joining Newschecker.
Pankaj Menon is a fact-checker based out of Delhi who enjoys ‘digital sleuthing’ and calling out misinformation. He has completed his MA in International Relations from Madras University and has worked with organisations like NDTV, Times Now and Deccan Chronicle online in the past.
Several social media users are circulating a purported quote by former Indian cricket team opener Gautam Gambhir, where he allegedly takes aim at Indian batsman Virat Kohli, following Australia’s stunning three-wicket win over Afghanistan in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.
“Virat Kohli would have taken singles on 195 if he had been there. But Maxwell chose to hit six, that’s what makes him different,” the viral posts quote Gambhir as saying.
Australian cricketer Glenn Maxwell’s record-breaking 201 not out off 128 balls during the match between Australia and Afghanistan in Mumbai on Tuesday is being considered arguably the greatest knock in the history of limited overs cricket. Maxwell hit the winning shot, a six over mid-wicket for his double ton, the first in a successful run-chase in ODIs.
The archived version of the tweets can be seen here and here. Prominent mainstream media channel News18 also carried a report on the same, attributing the quote to Gambhir.
The posts that shared the quote claimed that Gambhir made the remarks during the commentary. But turns out there’s more than what meets the eye.
According to a Free Press Journal report, dated November 8, 2023, Gambhir rubbished a News18 news article which claimed that he made remarks against Kohli after watching Maxwell’s match-winning double century against Afghanistan in the ICC World Cup 2023. A similar report can be seen here.
Gambhir tweeted on November 8, 2023, debunking the quote and the News18 report, following which the media organisation tweeted their apology to Gambhir and took down the article. Gambhir then thanked them for their “prompt action”, while criticising the verified handles who have shared the “fake” quote.
Newschecker has debunked several fake claims related to the ongoing ICC men’s cricket World Cup, including a fabricated quote of Sunil Gavaskar criticising the BCCI and the false claim that Ratan Tata announced a ₹10crore reward for Afghanistan cricketer Rashid Khan.
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Authors
Kushel HM is a mechanical engineer-turned-journalist, who loves all things football, tennis and films. He was with the news desk at the Hindustan Times, Mumbai, before joining Newschecker.
Pankaj Menon is a fact-checker based out of Delhi who enjoys ‘digital sleuthing’ and calling out misinformation. He has completed his MA in International Relations from Madras University and has worked with organisations like NDTV, Times Now and Deccan Chronicle online in the past.
