Gautam Gambhir on Virat Kohli: All about Gautam Gambhir – Virat Kohli IPL 2023 Controversy

The 2023 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) witnessed a highly publicized off-field clash between Virat Kohli, the batter for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), and Gautam Gambhir, the mentor of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). This altercation resulted in both players being fined 100 percent of their match fees due to their verbal spat.

Gautam Gambhir on Virat Kohli

The incident occurred during a game when Kohli engaged in a heated argument with Lucknow pacer Naveen-ul-Haq. The dispute escalated further after RCB’s victory in an emotionally charged contest when Gambhir took Kyle Mayers away while he was talking to Kohli. This action led to a heated argument between Kohli and Gambhir. Eventually, players from both teams, including LSG skipper KL Rahul and RCB captain Faf du Plessis, had to intervene to separate the two players.

Weeks after the intense exchange, Gambhir decided to clarify the situation between himself and Kohli. He expressed his opinion that there is nothing personal between them and that all the heat remains on the cricket field.

“I have had many fights on the cricket field, and I always keep them limited to the cricket field. Many people said many things and demanded interviews for TRP. There is no need to dwell on the past; it was an argument between two individuals that happened on the cricket field. If it had occurred outside, you would call it a fight, but this was just two individuals who wanted to win for their respective teams,” Gambhir explained in an interview with News18 channel.

The former left-handed batsman also discussed having heated arguments on other occasions and emphasized the importance of standing up for his players.

“I will say this without elaborating too much. I will stand by what I did, and I will endorse it because I stood up for a person who was completely right in that match. If I felt Naveen-ul-Haq did nothing wrong, it was my responsibility to support him. If my teammate is wrong, I will never stand with him,” Gambhir added.

Gambhir’s statement shed light on the intensity of competition on the cricket field and the passion that drives players to fight for their teams. While the altercation between Kohli and Gambhir was highly publicized, Gambhir made it clear that it was just a result of two individuals’ strong desire to win.

Cricket has always been a sport that elicits strong emotions, and clashes between players are not uncommon. However, Gambhir emphasized that he believes in keeping such conflicts confined to the field and not letting them spill over into personal animosity.

As the interview concluded, it became evident that Gambhir’s intention was to put an end to the controversy and move forward. He highlighted the transient nature of on-field arguments and reiterated his commitment to supporting his teammates when they are right, regardless of the consequences.

With Gambhir’s clarification, it is hoped that the focus can shift back to the excitement and skill displayed on the cricket field, rather than the off-field controversies that tend to overshadow the game itself. Both Kohli and Gambhir are highly respected figures in Indian cricket, and it is crucial to remember that disagreements are a natural part of any competitive sport. What matters is how these conflicts are managed and resolved, ultimately leading to a stronger and more united team.