In a candid revelation, former Indian cricket opener and two-time World Cup winner Gautam Gambhir has shed light on the intense verbal altercation between him, Virat Kohli, and pacer Naveen-ul-Haq. This incident happened during the IPL 2023 clash between Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).
The heated incident unfolded when Virat Kohli and Naveen-ul-Haq engaged in a war of words on the field during the match at Ekana Stadium in Lucknow.
Virat Kohli animated gestures towards the Afghan pacer escalated the situation, prompting the intervention of on-field umpires and fellow players to restore order.
Following RCB’s thrilling victory, tensions flared again during the post-match handshakes. Gautam Gambhir, then serving as the mentor for LSG, found himself in a verbal spat with Virat Kohli. The altercation required the intervention of other players to diffuse the confrontation.
Virat Kohli vs Gautam Gambhir?
In a recent interview on the ANI podcast, Gautam Gambhir provided insight into the Virat Kohli and Naveen ul-Haq incident. He emphasized his belief that as a mentor, he had the responsibility to defend his players when confronted after the game.
“As a mentor, no one can come and walk over my players, and I’ve got a very different belief. Till the time the game was on, I had no right to interfere, but once the game was over, if someone still gets into a heated argument with my players, I’ve got all the rights to defend them,” asserted Gambhir.
The revelation underscores the intensity and passion that cricket evokes, not only during the game but also in post-match situations. Gambhir’s strong stance on defending his players reveals the deep sense of loyalty and protection he feels towards the team he is in.
As the cricketing world reflects on this incident, it serves as a reminder of the emotions involved in the game.
