The on-field altercation between Indian batting star Virat Kohli and former player Gautam Gambhir during the 2023 IPL shocked everyone. A heated exchange broke out between Kohli and Lucknow Super Giants pacer Naveen-ul-Haq during the May 1 match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Lucknow. Tensions escalated as LSG mentor Gambhir stepped in to defend Naveen, sparking a dramatic confrontation.
This was not the first time the two players had clashed. They also had a verbal spat during an IPL 2013 match.
While known for his blunt words, Gambhir’s recent comments about Kohli’s 50th ODI century won many hearts. During the 2023 ODI World Cup semifinal against New Zealand, Kohli scored a historic 50th ODI century. When asked on Star Sports which bowler Kohli hit the milestone against, Gambhir replied, “Lockie Ferguson. Ye aap baar baar dikhana, mujhe sab kuch yaad rehta hai. Ladai meri sirf on the field hai(Please play this video again and again; everything is still clear to me. My battle is limited to the field.)”
Kohli š¤ Gambhir
That smile at the end tho špic.twitter.com/jSXz2xFUE6— Ishan Joshi (@ishanjoshii) December 23, 2023
Gambhir was recently named mentor for Kolkata Knight Riders ahead of the next season. He called Australian bowler Mitchell Starc, who KKR bought for a whopping Rs 24.75 crore, the X-factor and captain of the bowling attack.
“He (Starc) is an X-factor, no doubt about that. Someone who can bowl with the new ball, in the death overs and importantly, lead the attack,” Gambhir said at the auction.
