Cricket icon and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Gautam Gambhir was caught in the middle of a social media ire after a viral video caught him making an obscene gesture to the audience during India-Nepal match in the Asia Cup in Sri Lanka on Monday.

In the video, Gambhir was seen heading possibly inside the stadium when some cricket fans chanted the names of MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli, the cricketers whom the southpaw criticised a number of times.

Gambhir, who was on a phone call, looked at the fans and made an obscene gesture.

However, the former cricketer, who contributed heavily to India's World Cup wins in 2007 and 2011, claimed anti-India slogans were raised by some Pakistani fans which triggered his response.

Defending himself while speaking to the media, he said, "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, 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 added.

Later the cricketer-turned politician posted on X, "'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."

Earlier this year during an Indian Premier League match, Gambhir and Kohli were caught in a ugly verbal spat on field.

While Gambhir was the mentor of Lucknow Super Giants, Kohli plays for Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Meanwhile, India defeated Nepal on Monday to advance to the Super Four stage.