Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina react to Shahid Afridi's anti-India remarks

Shahid Afridi's anti-India remarks drew sharp critism from Gautam Gambhir on Tuesday. A day later, India skipper Virat Kohli and all-rounder Suresh Raina became the latest cricketers to react to Afridi's bizarre statement.

Afridi, a former Pakistan captain, sparked a controversy on Tuesday when he said he was appalled and worried by the situation in "Indian Occupied Kashmir."

WATCH: Shahid Afridi insults India, tweets about Kashmir

Afridi's tweet did enraged several Indians who otherwise hold the flambyoant all-rounder in high regard for his cricketing skills. A few days back, Afridi had suggested Indian players be invited to play in the Pakistan Premier League.

Appalling and worrisome situation ongoing in the Indian Occupied Kashmir.Innocents being shot down by oppressive regime to clamp voice of self determination & independence. Wonder where is the @UN & other int bodies & why aren't they making efforts to stop this bloodshed?

Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) April 3, 2018

Gambhir slammed Afridi in a cleverly-worded tweet and said UN in Afridi's "retartded dictionary" meant "UNDER NINETEEN."

Media called me for reaction on @SAfridiOfficial tweet on OUR Kashmir & @UN. Whats there to say? Afridi is only looking for @UN which in his retarded dictionary means UNDER NINTEEN his age bracket. Media can relax, @SAfridiOfficial is celebrating a dismissal off a no- ball!!!

Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) April 3, 2018

On Wednesday, Kohli was asked about Afridi's disatsteful statement by the media. The 29-year-old is gearing up for IPL 2018 where he will lead Royal Challengers Bangalore.

"As an Indian you want to express what is best for your nation and my interests are always for the benefit of our nation. If anything opposes it, I would never support it for sure

"But having said that, it's a very personal choice for someone to comment about certain issues.

"Unless I have total knowledge of the issues and the intricacies of it I don't engage in it but definitely your priority stays with your nation," he said.

As an Indian you want to express what is best for your nation & my interests are always for the benefit of our nation. If anything opposes it, I would never support it for sure: Virat Kohli on #ShahidAfridi (1/2) pic.twitter.com/EWUKQwlXec

ANI (@ANI) April 4, 2018

But having said that, it's a very personal choice for someone to comment about certain issues. Unless I have total knowledge of the issues & the intricacies of it I don't engage in it but definitely your priority stays with your nation: Virat Kohli on #ShahidAfridi (2/2) pic.twitter.com/JFDwrbOMk5

ANI (@ANI) April 4, 2018

While Raina urged Afridi to ask the Pakistani Army to stop terrorism and proxy war on Kashmir.

"Kashmir is an integral part of India and will remain so always. Kashmir is the pious land where my forefathers were born. I hope @SAfridiOfficial bhai asks Pakistan Army to stop terrorism and proxy war in our Kashmir. We want peace, not bloodshed and violence," Raina tweeted.

Kashmir is an integral part of India and will remain so always. Kashmir is the pious land where my forefathers were born. I hope @SAfridiOfficial bhai asks Pakistan Army to stop terrorism and proxy war in our Kashmir. We want peace, not bloodshed and violence.

Suresh Raina (@ImRaina) April 4, 2018

This is not the first Afridi has courted controversy with his bizarre political stunts.

In the 2016 World T20, Afridi chose to raise an unexpected controversy - raking up Kashmir, of all things - minutes before a crucial encounter against New Zealand.

"Ya, a lot of people, a lot of people are here from Kashmir as well. And I want to thanks people of Kolkata, they really support us as well," Afridi had said at Mohali's Punjab Cricket Association Stadium.

Only a few days before that statement in Mohali, Afridi was in trouble for saying the Pakistan cricket team got more love in India than in Pakistan.