Navjot Singh Sidhu has vehemently refuted a fabricated social media post that falsely attributed a controversial statement to him regarding Gautam Gambhir, the current head coach of the Indian cricket team, and Ajit Agarkar, the chief selector. The fake post circulated on X (formerly Twitter), claimed Sidhu had urged the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to remove Gambhir and Agarkar from their positions and reinstate Rohit Sharma as captain to secure India's victory in the 2027 World Cup.

The post read, "If India wants to win the 2027 World Cup, then BCCI should remove Ajit Agarkar and Gautam Gambhir as soon as possible and hand over the captaincy to Rohit Sharma again with full respect".

Sidhu responded swiftly and sharply to the misinformation. Taking to X, he denounced the post as "fake news" and expressed his shock and dismay. "Never said it, don't spread fake news, never imagined it. Shame on you," Sidhu tweeted, directly addressing the user who initially shared the fabricated quote. The original post was later deleted following Sidhu's strong rebuttal.

The incident occurred amidst a tense period for Indian cricket, following India's loss to Australia in the opening match of the three-match ODI series in Perth. This game also marked Shubman Gill's debut as captain, replacing Rohit Sharma, a move that has stirred debate among fans. Furthermore, the return of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to international cricket after a seven-month absence added to the heightened scrutiny surrounding the team.

The fake quote attributed to Sidhu also emerged in the wake of criticism faced by Gambhir and Agarkar, particularly from Rohit Sharma's fans, after Sharma's removal as ODI captain. Some fans have been critical of team selections and captaincy appointments, adding to the pressure on the team management.

Notably, Sidhu had recently been seen in a cheerful mood after India's Champions Trophy win, sharing a friendly exchange with Gautam Gambhir. This makes the claim of Sidhu calling for Gambhir's removal even more questionable.

Several reports have since emerged debunking the fake quote and highlighting Sidhu's strong denial. Social media users have also rallied behind Sidhu, urging others to verify information before sharing it online. This incident underscores the increasing problem of misinformation on social media and the importance of verifying information before sharing it.