Indian cricket players Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir, two of the most recognizable figures in the Indian Premier League (IPL), were fined for violating Article 2.21 of the IPL Code of Conduct after a heated exchange following a match on April 30, 2023, at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow. Kohli’s Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) defeated Gambhir’s Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) by 18 runs, but the post-match altercation overshadowed the on-field action.
Kohli, Gambhir, and Afghanistan pacer Naveen-ul-Haq were found in violation of the article, which covers public acts of misconduct, unruly public behavior, and inappropriate comments that harm the game’s interests. Kohli and Gambhir were fined 100 percent of their match fees, while Naveen was fined 50 percent for a level 1 breach of the same article.
Kohli’s Aggressive Celebrations and Shushing Gesture
Kohli, known for his fiery on-field personality, was rather animated during LSG’s batting innings, and his aggressive celebrations after dismissals were deemed unsportsmanlike. After dismissing Krunal Pandya, Kohli put his finger over his mouth, shushing the crowd, which was perhaps in response to Gambhir’s similar act after a previous match.
Heated Exchange Between Kohli and Naveen
Naveen, who was visibly upset during the match, had an unfriendly conversation with Kohli after the game, which eventually led to a heated exchange between the two players. Gambhir, a former Indian opener and captain, attempted to confront Kohli after the match. The two players were seen exchanging words on the field earlier, and the situation escalated when Gambhir cut off Kyle Mayers while he was speaking to Kohli. The team mentor eventually approached Kohli himself, and other players had to intervene to separate the two.
Kohli’s Reaction Video and Hesson’s Explanation
Despite the incident, Kohli expressed his pleasure with the win in a reaction video posted on YouTube. He acknowledged the team’s popularity, saying that getting more support than the home crowd was an unbelievable feeling. Kohli also commended his team’s character and belief, which helped them defend a low total and win the match.
Mike Hesson, RCB’s director of cricket operations, shed some light on the incident, suggesting that the team’s desperation to win after a previous loss may have contributed to the altercation. In a dressing room reactions video, he said, “I guess after the last match here at the Chinnaswamy where we lost off the last ball, it always felt like we were desperate to get this one. I guess you probably saw a little bit of that boil over from time to time.”
Previous Altercation Between Kohli and Gambhir
This isn’t the first time Kohli and Gambhir have clashed. In 2013, the two players were involved in an altercation when Gambhir was the captain of Kolkata Knight Riders and Kohli was leading RCB. The incident resulted in a heated exchange between the two players and a warning from the match referee.
Match Summary
In the match in question, RCB defeated LSG by 18 runs, with LSG getting bowled out for 108 in response to RCB’s 126/9. Skipper KL Rahul missed a major portion of the game due to a hip-flexor injury and was the last to bat, coming to the middle in only the penultimate over. RCB is fifth on the points table, while LSG is third, with both teams having won five of their nine games.
