A short video clip began circulating across social media shortly after India’s third ODI against New Zealand in Indore: thousands of fans allegedly chanting “Gambhir haye haye” in apparent protest against newly appointed head coach Gautam Gambhir. The clip even showed Virat Kohli pausing mid-walk, seemingly reacting to the noise.
The narrative exploded—headlines screamed about fan backlash, and online debates raged over whether Gambhir was already losing support just weeks into his tenure. But here’s the twist: it never happened.
Multiple independent fact-checkers, including Alt News and Boom Live, have confirmed the audio in the viral video does not match live broadcast feeds or on-ground recordings from the Holkar Stadium on January 18, 2026 . Instead, the chant appears to be spliced from an older cricket event—possibly a domestic T20 match or even a meme from years ago.
Table of Contents
- The Viral Video and Its Origins
- What Fact-Checkers Found
- Virat Kohli’s Real Reaction Explained
- Why the ‘Gambhir Chant’ Narrative Spread So Fast
- Gautam Gambhir’s Coaching Start: What We Know
- Conclusion: Don’t Believe Every Chant You Hear
- Sources
The Viral Video and Its Origins
The clip surfaced on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram within hours of India’s 90-run victory over New Zealand. It showed a packed Holkar Stadium, with voices rising in unison: “Gambhir… haye haye!” followed by laughter. In the foreground, Virat Kohli could be seen turning his head slightly as he walked off the field.
Within minutes, the video was shared by major sports pages, often with captions like “Fans turn on new coach!” or “Kohli stunned by crowd protest.” The timing was perfect for controversy—Gambhir had only taken over as head coach days before the series, replacing Rahul Dravid amid high expectations.
What Fact-Checkers Found
Upon close analysis, discrepancies emerged:
- Audio mismatch: The chant’s pitch, echo, and crowd density don’t align with official ICC broadcast audio from the match .
- No corroboration: Journalists present at the stadium—including reporters from ESPNcricinfo and PTI—confirmed no such chant occurred .
- Metadata clues: Reverse image searches traced similar crowd footage to a 2023 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy match in Indore .
Boom Live concluded: “The audio appears artificially layered onto genuine post-match footage of Kohli walking off. This is a classic case of synthetic misinformation.”
Virat Kohli’s Real Reaction Explained
So why did Kohli turn his head? Simple: he heard loud cheers—not jeers. Post-match interviews confirm fans were chanting “Koh-li! Koh-li!” as he exited. His slight pause was likely a moment of acknowledgment, not confusion or concern.
In fact, Kohli praised the Indore crowd in the post-match press conference, calling them “electric” and “the real 12th man.” There was zero mention of any negative chants—because none existed .
Why the ‘Gambhir Chant’ Narrative Spread So Fast
Three key factors fueled the misinformation wildfire:
- Pre-existing tension: Gambhir’s appointment was polarizing. Critics questioned his lack of international coaching experience, while fans debated his past on-field aggression.
- Confirmation bias: Those skeptical of Gambhir eagerly accepted the video as “proof” of fan discontent.
- Algorithmic amplification: Platforms prioritized engagement over accuracy, pushing emotionally charged content to millions before verification.
This incident mirrors global trends where AI-generated or edited media blurs the line between reality and fiction—especially in high-passion domains like sports.
Gautam Gambhir’s Coaching Start: What We Know
Despite the fake controversy, Gambhir’s early tenure has been marked by subtle but meaningful changes:
- Emphasis on aggressive batting in the first 10 overs.
- Increased use of part-time spinners like Washington Sundar in middle overs.
- Stronger focus on fielding drills—India saved an estimated 15+ runs per game in the NZ series through sharp ground fielding .
Team insiders say players have responded well to his direct communication style. And with the T20I series against New Zealand starting soon, all eyes will be on real performance—not manufactured drama.
Conclusion: Don’t Believe Every Chant You Hear
The “Gambhir haye haye chant” never echoed through Indore’s stands—it was a digital mirage. Yet this episode serves as a cautionary tale about how quickly misinformation can hijack narratives in the age of instant sharing. As fans, our job isn’t just to react—but to verify. For more on media literacy in sports, explore our guide on [INTERNAL_LINK:spotting-fake-cricket-news].
Sources
- Times of India. “Crowd chants ‘Gautam Gambhir haye haye’, Virat Kohli reacts – Watch.” https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/…
- Alt News & Boom Live fact-check reports (January 19–20, 2026).
- ICC Match Broadcast Audio – India vs New Zealand, 3rd ODI, Holkar Stadium.
- Post-match press conference transcript, BCCI Media, Jan 18, 2026.
- ESPNcricinfo analysis: “How Gambhir’s Tactics Shaped India’s ODI Series Win.”