Chewing gum saga: Parvez Rasool slams trolls, says don't involve players in Indo-Pak politics

It is already very difficult for cricketers from our region to make it into the national team, said Rasool.

New Delhi: After causing a social media outrage for chewing gum while the Indian National anthem was being played during the 1st T20I against England earlier this year, Parvez Rasool finally broke his silence and slammed people for mixing politics with cricket.

"Let cricketers play cricket and don’t involve them into politics unnecessarily. I try to keep my focus on the game and don’t let these controversies affect me," said Rasool in an interview given to ETV.

"It is already very difficult for cricketers from our region to make it into the national team and when these things happens, it is very disheartening. One has to remain tough and should not give importance to such controversies," said Rasool.

Here's the video of the 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

The 28-year-old picked one wicket and scored five runs as Men in Blue lost the 1st T20I against Enbgland by seven wickets.

Rasool, who went unsold along with other renowned Indian players including Ishant Sharma and Irfan Pathan, expressed his feelings on the snub saying he is still determined to continue playing well and earn his chances.

"It is just part and parcel of the game and I am not sad that I wasn’t picked up in the IPL auction. I was amongst the top all-rounders in this year's Ranji Trophy and would like to keep performing whenever I get a chance to play," Rasool concluded.