The first T20I between India and England in Kanpur was a big occasion for Parvez Rasool.  He was making his first appearance in India colors in almost two-and-a-half-years. His last match for the national team came against Bangladesh in an ODI that was played in 2014.

As expected, it was going to be a big moment for the player from Jammu & Kashmir. And it was also a proud moment for him as he was the first cricketer from the Kashmir valley to play in a T20 international representing Team India in colored outfits.

But, even before the match started and the first ball was bowled, the Kashmiri all-rounder landed in trouble for “allegedly” insulting India’s national anthem.

Yes, the Kashmiri cricketer was spotted chewing a gum when the national anthem of India was being played before the game.

The bowler was seen at ease during the national anthem and to make matters worse for himself, he was chewing gum at the time – something that didn’t go down well with many on Twitter who found it to be a disrespect to the national colors he was going on to represent.

Here is a clip of that incident:

#parvezrasool chewing gum when national anthem ws played@TarekFatah @AskAnshul @AsYouNotWish @rishibagree @mahesh10816 @Jaishankar_Sing pic.twitter.com/t1wwvEFjS0

— Swapnil Kumar (@raju2k84) January 26, 2017

Cricket fans were hugely disappointed with the 27-year old cricketer after he was caught chewing gum on camera while the rest of the Indian Team and people in cricket stadium were standing in attention as the National Anthem was being played.

Many people on social media felt that Rasool disrespected the national anthem when he kept on chewing his gum. A few also wanted the BCCI to take action against him.

Here’s how the Twitterati reacted to Rasool’s indiscretion:

DISAPPOINTED to see Parvez Rasool standing at ease & chewing gum during national anthem. Can wear India jersey, can’t sing anthem? #INDvENG

— Chinmay Jawalekar🏏 (@CricfreakTweets) January 26, 2017

Seems like that chewing gum is more important for Parvez Rasool than our national anthem.

— LOLendra Singh (@LOLendraSingh) January 26, 2017

What a shame to see Parvez Rasool refuse to sing National Anthem in Kanpur.Chewing gum instead.Doesn’t deserve the national cap.@war_echo?

— Rajinder Raina (@rraina1481) January 26, 2017

The Problem is not with Parvez Rasool alone, but the hatred by Kashmiri Muslims against Hindu & India. Born & Taught to disrespect India.

— Yogi Adityanath (@ImpossibleRai) January 26, 2017

Dear @BCCI : if @parvezrasool1 cannot sing National Anthem , why is he in the team ? https://t.co/kB1mj4RQof #RemoveAntiNationalRasool

— Himanshu Mishra (@himanshucs28) January 26, 2017

Height of disrespect– Parvez Rasool not singing national anthem and shamelessly chewing gum in keeping with kashmiris’ spirit #IndvsEng

— @iamRaj (@RajSurmal) January 26, 2017

There is no dearth of talent in India.If #parvezrasool can’t respect National Anthem simply kick him out of the team.Such arogance I tell u🙄

— Sheetal (@itssitu) January 27, 2017

Dear #parvezrasool, strength to win a medal in last 8 sec’s come from here and not from chewing gum. pic.twitter.com/AJ0OrSct2o

— WINGS OF FIRE (@shenoy70) January 27, 2017

Dear @imVkohli @msdhoni – pls drop #parvezrasool from Team India. Players who refuse to honour our anthem do not deserve to represent India.

— Sandeep Jaganath (@sandyjune1988) January 26, 2017

What’s your take on this? Let us know your views in the comments section below.

Featured Image: Twitter