IPL 2023: 3 things to know about Virat Kohli's brawl with Gautam Gambhir after LSG vs RCB game

In a fiercely contested encounter in Lucknow, the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) defeated the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) by 18 runs, despite the IPL 2023 match being tarnished by unpleasant incidents both before and after the game. Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir, two of India's World Cup-winning team members, came dangerously close to fighting again, underscoring the rift between the two former teammates. It diminished the brilliance of a low-scoring match in a tournament with overall record-high scoring totals and painted a negative picture of the two teams.

Everything appeared to be going smoothly until the 17th over of the chase, when Kohli, Amit Mishra, Naveen-Ul-Haq, Kyle Mayers, and eventually Gambhir caused things to get out of hand. We provide a thorough account of the events that resulted in a heated disagreement between Kohli and Gambhir so that you won't have to wonder what, when, or how the slugfest occurred.

1. Gautam Gambhir 'shushes' the RCB crowd and gives Kohli an aggressive handshake

Gautam Gambhir, IPL 2023 (Source: Twitter)

LSG coach Gautam Gambhir violently celebrated his team's close victory over RCB last month, gesturing to the RCB supporters and putting a finger to his lips to stifle them. RCB had something to prove going into the second game at Lucknow's Ekana Stadium, and that intensity was evident as they came out to defend 126.

Wild cheers, fist pumps, and flying kisses directed at the spectators greeted each wicket. Even though it was the opposition's home field, Kohli occasionally led the fans as he does in international cricket. At that point, Kohli returned it to Gambhir after taking a catch and performing his "finger on the lips" celebration. The war was in full swing.

2. What caused the Virat Kohli vs Naveen-Ul-Haq clash?

Virat Kohli and Naveen Ul Haq, IPL 2023 (Source: Twitter)

Things started to go wrong during the final over of LSG's chase when fast bowler Naveen-ul-Haq of Afghanistan was at the crease. Excited by the regular wickets falling and smelling blood, Kohli motioned for Siraj to bowl bouncers at Naveen. The argument started when Naveen noticed it and approached Kohli to speak with him. The umpires and non-striker Amit Mishra had to separate the two players. As Kohli advanced towards his position at the cover, more comments were spoken, however distantly. Mishra appeared to ask Kohli to settle down from the non-striker's perspective, which most likely caused the latter to approach him and chat.

Again, tempers rose during the traditional post-match handshakes between the two squads. As they moved on to shake the hand of the following player, Kohli and Naveen continued their verbal exchange. This time, Glenn Maxwell served as the middleman, putting the two players apart. After the hostilities appeared to have subsided, Kohli and Lucknow captain KL Rahul engaged in a lively conversation. He made many hand signals during that chat, one of which was the silencing gesture that Gambhir had done in Bangalore and Kohli had then imitated in Lucknow. He appeared extremely agitated about whatever had happened. Rahul invited Naveen to join the chat when he passed the pair as they had it, perhaps to settle matters. Naveen declined to comply.

This isn't the first time Naveen has been involved in a conflict. One of the most contentious incidents in the PSL occurred when Naveen got in Shahid Afridi's face during a game two years ago.

3. Gambhir pulls Mayers away and verbally attacks Kohli with all his might

Kyle Mayers and Virat Kohli, IPL 2023 (Source: Twitter)

Kyle Mayers and Kohli were spotted talking after the handshakes. Gambhir interrupted this by leading Mayers away. Then, Gambhir was seen making remarks about Kohli and even attempting to charge at the cricketer. Other team members, including Rahul, stopped him and continued verbally attacking Kohli. The two sets of players, including RCB captain Faf du Plessis, had to separate Kohli and Gambhir after they were seen exchanging words. Although Kohli appeared to explain his side of the situation, neither party was in the mood for compromise.