The spat between Virat Kohli and Naveen-ul-Haq, with Gautam Gambhir intervening, in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 became a major talking until the two cricketers later shook hands during the India vs Afghanistan clash in the ODI World Cup 2023. Earlier this year, the two cricketers met and greeted each other gracefully, sending a message to the fans that all is well between them.
The controversial incident took place after the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) defeated Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in Lucknow last year.
Kohli and Naveen had a heated exchange during the customary handshakes and later, Gambhir confronted the RCB batter furiously. In the aftermath of the incident, the IPL governing council imposed hefty fines on all three of them.
Former India cricketer Amit Mishra, who had witnessed the entire incident, has now opened up on what actually transpired on the field.
Speaking on a YouTube podcast with Shubhankar Mishra, the former India spinner, who was batting with Naveen, recalled the entire chain of events.
“It all started in Bengaluru where we (LSG) won the game and Gambhir expressed his aggression. The public was going mad so Gautam gestured them to keep quiet. Probably Virat Kohli didn’t like that. We thought the matter ended with the game but not for Kohli,” Mishra said.
“He started abusing our players (in the LSG vs RCB rematch in Lucknow). He didn’t have any grudges with Kyle Myers but he abused him as well. Naveen-ul-Haq was bowling, he would abuse him too. Bohot cheezein avoid ho sakti thi but Virat Kohli ne nahi ki (Several things would have been avoided but Kohli didn’t do it).
“When I was batting with Naveen, I asked Kohli, ‘Who are you even talking to He’s just a youngster and not even close to your stature. Whatever happened has happened.’ He answered back, saying, “You make him understand that, not me.”
“But the problem began after the game. He (Kohli) started abusing him again during the customary handshakes. That’s when Gambhir intervened, questing why are you starting it again when the game has ended and you guys have won. I moved Gambhir away but Naveen later came to the dressing and said that Kohli started abusing again,” he added.
Though the fans were happy to see both cricketers shaking hands earlier this year in the IPL 2024. However, Mishra believes that Naveen won’t be able to respect Kohli the same way he did before the entire incident happened.
“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,” Mishra wondered.
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