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Afghanistan pacer Naveen-ul-Haq who is currently playing for Texas Super Kings in the ongoing Major League Cricket (MLC) 2024 has opened up on his heated exchange with Virat Kohli during Indian Premier League (IPL) and how they put an end to the rivalry in ODI World Cup 2023. Texas Super Kings posted the video after his Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) teammate Amit Mishra's version of events went viral on social media.
The incident took place during IPL 2023 in LSG's home match. Kohli sledged Naveen as RCB were dominating the home team. After a heated exchange during the play, Kohli was involved in an ugly spat with then LSG mentor Gautam Gambhir. While Naveen doesn’t regret what happened, he said that the heated exchange was not personal but two players fighting it out for their franchise.
"I made it clear that It was in the heat of the moment. He was representing his franchise, I was playing for my franchise, If it is for my franchise or for my country, I will give it all. I won't back down." Naveen said.
"At the end of the day we are all players and some of us are close friends, some of us are colleagues. We just brush it out and there's nothing personal. In the ODI World Cup, it finished once and for all." he added.
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Fans still poke Naveen on social media
After IPL 2023, Naveen was heckled by the crowd wherever he played during ODI World Cup 2023. The animosity between the two ended during India and Afghanistan's World Cup clash. The gesture of Kohli was lauded by many. But Naveen said that he still gets tagged on social media about the incident.
"Nowadays, social media keeps showing it everyday till they get something out of it," he added.
Mishra doubts Naveen has respect for Kohli
Meanwhile, Mishra had given details about the incident and also questioned whether Kohli will be respected by Naveen or the youngsters who saw the incident.
“For social media, it all seemed to be over between them. But do you think Naveen will respect Kohli ever again? What about the youngsters who saw the incident where a big star was abusing others,” he said on Shubhankar Mishra’s podcast.
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