Pakistani sports commentator gets slammed by Indians for congratulatory post on D Gukesh: 'Man lives on the name of India'

India's Gukesh Dommaraju has etched his name in history as the youngest world chess champion, triumphing over China's reigning titleholder, Ding Liren, in a thrilling showdown on Thursday. The decisive 14th game in Singapore unfolded with high drama, as a critical endgame blunder by Liren paved the way for Gukesh's stunning victory. While congratulations are pouring in from around the globe, one particular message of goodwill from a sports commentator has gone viral, but not for the best reasons.

Farid Khan, who calls himself Pakistan's "most engaging sports content creator on digital media" and boasts in his bio on X (formerly Twitter) that he is "Equally loved in India," stirred up a storm with his congratulatory post for Gukesh.

Khan wrote, "BREAKING: GUKESH BECOMES THE YOUNGEST EVER WORLD CHAMPION IN THE HISTORY OF CHESS. Proud moment for South Asia," accompanied by emojis of the Indian and Pakistani flags.

BREAKING: GUKESH BECOMES THE YOUNGEST EVER WORLD CHAMPION IN THE HISTORY OF CHESS ???

Proud moment for South Asia ????????

pic.twitter.com/0G6peCur8c

¡ª Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) December 12, 2024

While well-meaning, the post sparked backlash online.

One user commented, "It's important to recognize the focus on individual achievements within the country, as players from other South Asian nations such as Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Iran, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka are not included in this event."

Gukesh is a talented player proudly representing India in this event, which is exclusively for Indian participants. It's important to recognize the focus on individual achievements within the country, as players from other South Asian nations such as Afghanistan, Bangladesh,¡­

¡ª Harsh Patel (@H_a_r_s_h_1) December 12, 2024

Another added, "The man lives on the name of India and everything related to it. Living rent free."

The man lives on the name of India and everything related to it

Living rent free ??

¡ª Ash (@Ashsay_) December 12, 2024

There's even a Reddit discussion on it titled, "Pakistani sport commentator quick to steal credit for Pak on Gukesh chess victory."

Pakistani sport commentator quick to steal credit for Pak on Gukesh chess victory
byu/just9years inIndiaSpeaks

Amid the criticism, it's worth noting that Khan's gesture highlights a sense of regional pride in Gukesh's achievement.

Considering Gukesh is technically South Asian, does the sentiment really deserve such a sharp reaction? Shouldn't a remarkable accomplishment like this be celebrated without borders?

D Gukesh scripts history

D. Gukesh created history on Thursday by defeating reigning champion Ding Liren in a nail-biting 14th and final game, becoming the youngest world chess champion ever.

Reflecting on his incredible journey after the match in Singapore, an emotional Gukesh shared, "When Magnus won in 2013, I started thinking that I should be the one who brings this title back to India," said Gukesh after the match in Singapore. "This dream I had about 10 years ago had been the single most important thing of my life. Doing this for myself, my loved one and my country... there is nothing better than this."

To stay updated on the stories that are going viral, follow Indiatimes Trending.