Clash Between Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir in IPL 2023 Sparks Controversy
Gambhir explained that he believed the Afghan pacer had not done anything wrong to warrant the strong response from Kohli.
The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 witnessed a contentious incident during a match between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on May 01. RCB's Virat Kohli was involved in clashes with LSG's pacer Naveen-ul-Haq and later with Gautam Gambhir on the field. The exact details of the altercation remain undisclosed, but Gambhir has shed light on why he supported Naveen and confronted Kohli, leading to one of the most significant on-field confrontations in the history of the T20 league.
Gambhir, in a conversation with News18, stated that the incident received significant attention and speculation, especially for television ratings (TRPs). However, he believed that the disagreement between him and Kohli should remain confined to the cricket field without crossing any boundaries. Gambhir emphasized that personal arguments should not require public clarification. He asserted that the altercation occurred during the cricket match and not off the field. If it had taken place elsewhere, away from the game, then it could be called a fight. Gambhir considered it as a result of the intense competitive spirit between two individuals who both desired victory for their respective teams.
Elaborating on his decision to support Naveen, Gambhir explained that he believed the Afghan pacer had not done anything wrong to warrant the strong response from Kohli. He clarified that his actions were driven by his endorsement of what he perceived to be the right course of action in that specific instance. Whether it was for Naveen-ul-Haq or anyone else, Gambhir expressed his commitment to standing by those whom he believed to be in the right. He emphasized that he would continue to do so, as it aligned with the values he had been taught and the way he led his life. Gambhir dismissed the notion that his support was based on favoritism towards a particular player and clarified that he would not side with his own team's player if they were in the wrong.
