Did Virender Sehwag take a sly dig at Gautam Gambhir? - 'Being a part-time MP whenever convenient is not something I ever aspire for'

Virender Sehwag appeared to have taken a sly dig at his former opening partner Gautam Gambhir when he insisted that he does not "aspire" to be a "a part time MP (Member of Parliament) whenever convenient".

Gambhir is a BJP (Bhartiya Janta Party) MP from the East Delhi Lok Sabha constituency and is actively involved in politics. However, he also makes time for cricket punditry and commentating and is part of Star Sports' panel for the ongoing 2023 Asia Cup. 

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He also found himself in the eye of a controversy when he lost his cool and flashed his middle finger at a section of fans at the Pallekele Stadium in Kandy, Sri Lanka after they chanted Virat Kohli's name targeting Gambhir.

Gambhir later clarified on Sports Tak that his gesture was towards a section of Pakistan fans who shouted provocative slogans at him.

"The crowd that was made up of Pakistani fans were shouting anti-India slogans were also passing comments on Kashmir. As an Indian I can’t take anyone saying this about my country hence reacted this way. What you see on social media isn’t always the correct picture," he stated. 

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What did Virender Sehwag say?

A X user wrote: "I always thought you (Sehwag) should’ve been MP Before Gautam Gambhir."

Sehwag quoted this tweet and replied: "I am not at all interested in politics. Have been approached by both major parties in the last two elections. My view is that most entertainers or sportsman should not enter politics as most are their for their own ego and hunger for power and barely spare genuine time for people, few are exceptions but generally most only do PR. I love being involved with cricket and commentating and being a part time MP whenever convenient is not something i ever aspire for."

I am not at all interested in politics. Have been approached by both major parties in the last two elections. My view is that most entertainers or sportsman should not enter politics as most are their for their own ego and hunger for power and barely spare genuine time for… https://t.co/wuodkpp6HT

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) September 5, 2023

Sehwag urges BCCI to have 'Bharat' on the jersey instead of India

After the Indian cricket team for the ICC World Cup was announced Sehwag made a plea to BCCI secretary Jay Shah to have jerseys with Bharat written in front instead of India. 

"I have always believed a name should be one which instills pride in us. We are Bhartiyas, India is a name given by the British and it has been long overdue to get our original name ‘Bharat’ back officially. I urge the BCCI (secretary) Jay Shah to ensure that in this World Cup our players have Bharat on our chest,” Sehwag posted on X.

“In the 1996 World Cup, Netherlands came to play in the World Cup in Bharat as Holland. In 2003, when we met them, they were The Netherlands and continue to be so. Burma have changed the name given by the British back to Myanmar.

And many others have gone back to their original name,” he added.

I have always believed a name should be one which instills pride in us.
We are Bhartiyas ,India is a name given by the British & it has been long overdue to get our original name ‘Bharat’ back officially. I urge the @BCCI @JayShah to ensure that this World Cup our players have… https://t.co/R4Tbi9AQgA

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) September 5, 2023

Team India nahin #TeamBharat.
This World Cup as we cheer for Kohli , Rohit , Bumrah, Jaddu , may we have Bharat in our hearts and the players wear jersey which has “Bharat” @JayShah . https://t.co/LWQjjTB98Z

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) September 5, 2023

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