Truth behind Indore stadium viral video: Did crowd really chant ‘Gautam Gambhir haye haye’ and did Virat Kohli react?

A video claiming that the Indore crowd shouted “Gautam Gambhir haaye haaye” after India’s third ODI against New Zealand has gone viral on social media. However, a closer look shows that the claim is misleading and not supported by facts.

The clip, widely shared on X and Instagram, shows Virat Kohli reacting during the post-match presentation at the Holkar Stadium. Many users linked his reaction to alleged chants against India head coach Gautam Gambhir, sparking fresh debate around the team’s recent performances.

What the Viral Video Actually Shows

The visuals in the viral clip are real and were indeed recorded in Indore after the third ODI. However, the audio accompanying the video appears to have been added later.


Journalists and media personnel who were present at the stadium have clarified that no such chants were heard during the presentation ceremony. According to them, the crowd did not target Gambhir at any point during the match or the post-match proceedings.

Further verification suggests that the audio used in the viral clip matches an older incident from Guwahati, where similar chants were heard during a Test match last year. The sound pattern is nearly identical, indicating that the video was edited to create a misleading narrative.

Fact Check: No Evidence of Chants Against Gambhir in Indore

Multiple fact-checks confirm that the Indore crowd did not shout slogans against the Indian head coach. While emotions were running high after India lost the series, there is no credible evidence to support the claim circulating online.

This is a reminder of how quickly edited videos can fuel controversy, especially at a time when the team is under pressure. Misinformation of this kind often gains traction because of heightened emotions following losses.

India Lose ODI Series to New Zealand

India lost the third ODI and the series 2-1, marking New Zealand’s first ODI series win on Indian soil in 37 years. The defeat came on the back of a disappointing run, following the Black Caps’ 3-0 Test series whitewash of India last year.

The loss has led to intense scrutiny of team selections, leadership, and overall form, with fans expressing mixed reactions across social media platforms.

Focus Shifts to T20Is Ahead of World Cup

Despite the setback, India have little time to dwell on the ODI defeat. The focus now moves to the five-match T20I series against New Zealand, which begins on Wednesday and serves as a crucial build-up to the upcoming T20 World Cup.

The series will be closely watched, especially with less than three weeks left before the global tournament. Performances here could play a key role in finalising combinations and strategies.

Spotlight on Suryakumar Yadav’s Captaincy

All eyes will be on Suryakumar Yadav, who continues as India’s T20I captain. Since taking over in 2024, he has led the team to a winning percentage of over 72 per cent. However, his personal batting form has come under scrutiny in recent months.

Playing at home, Suryakumar will be keen to strike a balance between leadership and performance as India aim to defend their T20 World Cup title.

IND vs NZ T20I Series: Full Schedule

• 1st T20I: January 21 – Nagpur – 7 PM IST
• 2nd T20I: January 23 – Raipur – 7 PM IST
• 3rd T20I: January 25 – Guwahati – 7 PM IST
• 4th T20I: January 28 – Visakhapatnam – 7 PM IST
• 5th T20I: January 31 – Thiruvananthapuram – 7 PM IST

IND vs NZ T20I Squads

India
Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy, Rinku Singh, Arshdeep Singh, Ravi Bishnoi, Harshit Rana

New Zealand
Mitchell Santner (captain), Devon Conway, Bevon Jacobs, Glenn Phillips, Tim Robinson, Jimmy Neesham, Ish Sodhi, Zak Foulkes, Mark Chapman, Michael Bracewell, Rachin Ravindra, Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy, Kristian Clarke

Inputs from TOI