During Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s first match against Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL 2024, a photo photo went viral. It was of Virat Kohli hugging Gautam Gambhir. The two were involved in a heated argument at the IPL 2023, when RCB had clashed against Lucknow Super Giants (Gambhir was mentoring the side then). It made for one of the lasting images of that edition of the IPL. LSG pacer Naveen-ul-Haq was also involved in the tiff.
Earlier, Kohli had hugged Naveen during a ODI World Cup 2023 match. But Virat Kohli has now revealed that people’s reaction to his hugs.
“People are disappointed by my behaviour. I hugged Naveen. Then the other day Gauti bhai came and hugged me. Because your masala got over, you are doing ‘wooh wooh’,” Virat Kohli said at an event, where the people started shouting as the former Indian cricket team captain mentioned the name of Gautam Gambhir while replying to a question.
While Kohli might feel people are disappointed, former Indian cricket team stars appreciated the gesture. Former Indian cricket team coach Ravi Shastri lauded the gesture.
Former Indian cricket team star Irfan Pathan, who has played with both of Gambhir and Kohli, also commented on the incident.
“Gautam Gambhir, the senior guy, actually came forward. Sometimes you cross the line but as soon as that thing has gone past, when you meet in the future, when you meet now, you meet nicely. This is what we saw,” Irfan Pathan said on Star Sports.
Gautam Gambhir has been known to be a fierce competitor. Recently in an interview he said that he wanted to beat RCB every time.
“One team which I wanted to beat every time, probably even in my dreams was RCB. Probably the second-most high profile team, flamboyant team with the owner and probably the squad – Chris Gayle, Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers. Honestly not won anything, still thought they won everything. That kind of attitude. I can’t take that. Probably the three best wins that KKR ever had was against RCB
“To be honest, we’re most focused on ourselves. We didn’t play our best cricket in the first three matches, and as we gain momentum, this team can go on a real winning run. We’re looking forward to that happening, and it will be great to be a part of it,” he said.
