Virat Kohli, Indian cricket team captain, on Wednesday said he did not support what former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi had to say on Kashmir.
“As an Indian you want to express what is best for your nation and my interests are always for the benefit of our nation. If anything opposes it, I would never support it for sure,” Kohli told reporters.
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 and the intricacies of it I don’t engage in it but definitely, your priority stays with your nation,” he added.
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
Afridi, who had earlier made a controversial remark that “a lot of people are here from Kashmir” during the 2016 World T20 in India, 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?”
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
‘Who is he?’
India’s first World Cup winning skipper Kapil Dev also took a dig at Afridi, saying: “Who is he? Why are we giving importance to him? We should not be giving importance to certain people.”
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
Suresh Raina and Mohammed Kaif also joined the chorus in Afridi’s view on Kashmir issue.
Kashmir is an integral part of India and will remain so always. Kashmir is the pious land where my forefathers were born. I hope @SAfridiOfficial bhai asks Pakistan Army to stop terrorism and proxy war in our Kashmir. We want peace, not bloodshed and violence. 🙏
— Suresh Raina🇮🇳 (@ImRaina) April 4, 2018
Dear Afridi , we wish peace and love but Peace is a two way street. pic.twitter.com/1oonVHQMqP
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) April 4, 2018
Following the tweet, seasoned India opener Gautam Gambhir had also lashed out at the Pakistan crickeyter saying: “Afridi is only looking for UN which in his retarded dictionary means “UNDER NINTEEN” his age bracket.”
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
(With inputs from IANS)