During the IPL 2023 season, Virat Kohli and Naveen-ul-Haq engaged in a heated altercation.
The 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL) season was marked by intense clashes on the field, notably between Royal Challengers Bengaluru's star player Virat Kohli and Lucknow Super Giants' Naveen-ul-Haq. The rivalry between these two players escalated beyond the match, drawing in LSG mentor Gautam Gambhir into the altercation. The heated argument between Gambhir and Kohli required intervention from their teammates to defuse the situation. Lucknow spinner Amit Mishra has recently shed light on the underlying cause of this explosive clash during that season.
During a podcast on YouTube, veteran spinner Amit Mishra of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) disclosed an intriguing story that unfolded a few matches prior in Bengaluru. It all began when Lucknow mentor Gautam Gambhir made a finger-on-mouth gesture towards Bengaluru fans.
"It all started in Bengaluru where we (LSG) won the game and Gambhir expressed his aggression. The public was going mad so Gautam gestured them to keep quiet. Probably Virat Kohli didn't like that. We thought the matter ended with the game but not for Kohli," Mishra said.
During the encounter between the two teams, Kohli, as noted by Mishra, appeared displeased with Gambhir's actions and proceeded to verbally attack LSG players. Mishra suggested that Virat had the opportunity to handle the situation differently, but opted not to do so.
"He started abusing our players (in the LSG vs RCB rematch in Lucknow). He didn't have any grudges with Kyle Myers but he abused him as well. Naveen-ul-Haq was bowling, he would abuse him too. Bohot cheezein avoid ho sakti thi but Virat Kohli ne nahi ki (a lot of things would have been avoided but Kohli chose not to).
During that match, Kohli also engaged in a heated exchange with Mishra while batting alongside Naveen. Despite Mishra's attempts to defuse the situation, Kohli insisted that he explain the situation to Naveen, not to him.
"When I was batting with Naveen, I asked Kohli, 'Who are you even talking to He's just a youngster and not even close to your stature. Whatever happened has happened.' He answered back, saying, "You make him understand that, not me."
According to Mishra, Virat did not calm down even after the match had concluded and continued to verbally abuse Naveen. It was at this point that Gambhir decided to step in and intervene.
"But the problem began after the game. He (Kohli) started abusing him again during the customary handshakes. That's when Gambhir intervened, questing why are you starting it again when the game has ended and you guys have won. I moved Gambhir away but Naveen later came to the dressing and said that Kohli started abusing again," he added.
Although Kohli and Naveen appeared to have resolved their differences, having competed against each other on several occasions since the incident, Mishra believes that the Afghanistan pacer will never truly respect the Team India batter again.
Also read| 'Made it clear that....': Naveen-ul-Haq opens up on verbal spat with Virat Kohli during IPL 2023
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 "'Kohli started abusing our players': India star's shocking revelations about Virat and Naveen-ul-Haq spat")
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