The 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL) season has been one of many memorable moments, both exciting and unsavoury. One of the biggest of those incidents happened on May 1, when there was a war of words between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) batter Virat Kohli and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) pacer Naveen-ul-Haq.
It started when the tension between Kohli and Naveen-ul-Haq kept rising. Amit Mishra, who was the LSG batter at the other end, tried to calm Kohli down but the RCB team leader was having none of it. Kohli and Naveen-ul-Haq then also exchanged a death stare which was caught on camera.
It did not end there, as, after the game, Kohli and Naveen-ul-Haq exchanged a very cold handshake which saw the pulling of hands as well as a slight shove by the Afghanistan bowler on Kohli. The two players then got involved in a heated argument during the handshake before being separated by Glenn Maxwell.
And now, during the match between MI and RCB, Naveen has shared yet another story on his Instagram account, which many might construe as another dig at Kohli.
Kohli was dismissed early in the game after Jason Behrendorff got rid of him for 1 off 4 balls. After the wicket, Naveen put out an Insta story featuring some mangoes. “Sweet mango’s,” he wrote in the story.
A few days back, Naveen shared a picture with Gambhir and wrote, "Treat people the way you want to be treated. Talk to people the way you want to be talked to."
Gambhir commented on the post and said, "Be who you are !! ‘Never Change’."
In relation to the fight between Kohli, Gambhir and Naveen, the league recognised the severity of the incident and imposed a heavy fine on Kohli and Gambhir. The RCB batter was fined 100% of his match fees and the LSG mentor was also docked for his entire match fees.
In addition to the two of them, Naveen-ul-Haq was also penalised for getting involved in a heated exchange with Kohli during the customary handshake between players after the game. The Afghanistan pacer was fined 50% of his match fees.
MORE ON SPORTS TAK
Afridi picks side in Virat Kohli-Naveen-ul-Haq's recent scuffle, says '..he only reacts when someone bugs him unnecessarily'
'Never change': Five days after verbal fight with Virat Kohli, Naveen-ul-Haq shares another cryptic post as Gautam Gambhir responds with subtle comment
