Cricket has long been a sport celebrated for its spirit of fair play and camaraderie. Yet, it is not immune to the occasional flare-up of tempers, as seen in the rivalry between Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir. Their on-field encounters have been a topic of intense discussion, often overshadowing their cricketing skills.
The Spark of Rivalry Between Kohli-Gambhir
The origins of their acrimony can be traced back to the IPL, where the competitive spirit is at its peak. It was during an IPL match in 2023 that Kohli and Gambhir had their infamous Kohli-Gambhir altercation in IPL, a verbal spat that quickly escalated into a media sensation. This confrontation was not just a momentary loss
of composure but seemed to be the culmination of underlying tensions that had been brewing for years. The incident unfolded after a match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), where emotions ran high. The spark for the altercation was an earlier exchange between Kohli and LSG’s Naveen-ul-Haq. During a strategic break, Kohli and Naveen had a heated argument when Amit Mishra attempted to intervene. This further lead to an argument with Kohli. This particular incident, however, became a talking point and a breaking news on cricket. Also, it overshadowed the outcome of the match.
However, Kohli-Gambhir issue is not new. We have to go back to 2013 IPL season to actually understand the series of incidents which could be the possible reason why Gambhir couldn’t hold back his frustration. Gambhir led the Kolkata Knight Riders, and Kohli was in charge of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. During a match between their teams at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, after Kohli was out, it seemed Gambhir said something that upset Kohli. Kohli responded, and they confronted each other on the field for the first time. Rajat Bhatia, who used to play for Kolkata, had to step in to separate them.
The beginning of Kohli and Gambhir’s rocky relationship is surprising considering Gambhir once gave Kohli his Player of the Match award for Kohli’s first international century in an ODI against Sri Lanka in Kolkata. Their tension became obvious after the 2013 IPL. Three years later, in another match between their teams, they clashed again when Gambhir threw the ball at the end where Kohli was, even though there was no chance of a run-out.
Their ongoing feud also touched on changes in the Indian cricket team. Gambhir was struggling to stay in the team due to the success of Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma. When Kohli replaced MS Dhoni as the Test captain during the 2014-15 Australia tour, he didn’t pick Gambhir for the team, partly due to Gambhir’s form. Though Gambhir returned to play two Test matches in 2016, he was dropped again and never played for India afterward.
After retiring, Gambhir said in an interview with Gaurav Kapoor that he holds no grudge against Kohli. However, his reaction to a win against Kohli’s team in the IPL suggested otherwise. Kohli, not one to stay quiet, expressed his frustration, leading to heated moments with Naveen-ul-Haq and later, with Gambhir.
From Confrontation to Cordiality
Despite their past, the IPL 2024 season presented a different picture. In a heartwarming display of sportsmanship. Both players put their past behind them with a hug during a strategic timeout. The Kohli-Gambhir handshake of this event was well-received, as it highlighted the significance of moving past old grievances and setting a positive example for the future.
The image of the two players embracing was a powerful one, conveying a message that transcended the sport itself. The Kohli-Gambhir video of their embrace went viral, symbolising the possibility of change and the power of forgiveness. It showed that while cricket is a battle on the field, there is always room for respect and camaraderie off it.
As fans, we often get caught up in the heat of the moment, choosing sides and adding fuel to the fire of rivalries. However, the Kohli-Gambhir handshake reminds us that at the end of the day, cricket is a game, and it’s the spirit of the game that ultimately prevails.
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