In the 43rd match of the ongoing edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) exacted their revenge and defeated Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) by 18 runs in a low-scoring encounter at Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. The game will be remembered for the verbal fight between former RCB skipper Virat Kohli and LSG mentor Gautam Gambhir as the duo indulged in a huge war of words after the conclusion of the match.
So how did it all begin and what happened exactly? Well, it all began when Gambhir gave Kohli a cold handshake and silenced the M. Chinnaswmy Stadium when these two teams last met in the cash-rich tournament earlier in the season. After LSG prevailed in a thrilling game, Gambhir was absolutely pumped and he let his emotions out. While Kohli didn't react to his former India teammate's actions at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, the former RCB captain don the hat of an aggressor on May 1 (Monday).
Throughout the game, Kohli was at his usual self and tried to get the crowd involved. Kohli was animated when a wicket fell, when a player misfielded or even when Wanindu Hasaranga got hit for a six. The former RCB captain even tried to imitate Gambhir's silencing gesture after completing a catch at the boundary.
The situation started to get out of hand when tension brewed between Kohli and LSG batter Naveen-ul-Haq. Amit Mishra, who was the other LSG batter tried to calm Kohli down but the RCB leader was having none of it. Kohli and Naveen-il-Haq then exchanged a death stare which was caught on camera.
After the game, Kohli and Naveen-ul-Haq exchanged an extremely cold handshake which involved the pulling of hands and a slight shove by the Afghanistan bowler on Kohli. The two players indulged in an intense heated exchange during the handshake before Glenn Maxwell separated them.
LSG opening batter Kyle Mayers then proceeded to speak with Kohli. The two spoke for five seconds before Gambhir arrived on the scene and pulled Mayers away from Kohli. In the background, Kohli and Naveen-ul-Haq exchanged a few words once again before an angry Gambhir walked towards the former RCB skipper despite KL Rahul and other players trying to diffuse the tension.
In what appeared from the video, Kohli tried to explain Gambhir the whole incident but tension only grew between the two as players of both teams circled around. Amit Mishra jumped in between Kohli and Gambhir while Faf du Plessis pulled his opening partner away.
After the whole incident, Kohli was spotted in a lengthy one-on-one conversation with KL Rahul. During the conversation, the LSG skipper asked Naveen-ul-Haq to join him and Kohli but the Afghanistan pacer refused.
The Indian Premier League imposed heavy fines on Kohli, Gambhir and Naveen-ul-Haq after the match.
MORE ON SPORTS TAK:
IPL 2023: Massive fine imposed on Virat Kohli, Gautam Gambhir and Naveen-ul-Haq for indulging in verbal fight after LSG vs RCB game
Massive headache for Team India and LSG, Jaydev Unadkat injures shoulder badly in nets after leg hits rope
