Recent Incident in ipl match 2023
Former Indian Premier League (IPL) captains, Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir, were involved in a heated exchange recently, even though neither of them holds a captaincy position anymore. The incident took place after Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) defeated Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) by 18 runs. The altercation occurred over 10 years after their previous feud in the IPL during a match between RCB and Kolkata Knight Riders in Bengaluru. Kohli currently plays for RCB as a specialist batter, while Gambhir is retired and works as the global mentor at LSG.
During the customary post-match handshake, Kohli and LSG bowler Naveen-ul-Haq exchanged words, leading to Gambhir pulling away his team's opening batter, Kyle Mayers, from a conversation with Kohli. Shortly afterward, Gambhir aggressively approached Kohli with his players, including the injured captain KL Rahul, holding him back. As the two got in each other's faces, Kohli attempted to pacify Gambhir by placing his hand on his shoulder. However, the situation escalated quickly, and veteran spinner Amit Mishra had to step in to separate them.
Kohli's behaviour during the fielding innings was also noteworthy, as he seemed extra animated throughout the game. He even shushed the crowd after taking a catch to dismiss Krunal Pandya, which could have been a response to Gambhir's shushing gesture towards the Bengaluru crowd during an earlier match between the two sides. Kohli also had a heated exchange with Naveen during the 17th over of the chase when the game was nearly over, requiring intervention from Mishra and an umpire.
The match had a grudge-like atmosphere, which spilled onto social media platforms of both teams. An RCB insider retweeted LSG's tweet from the last match that said, "Ladies and gentlemen, this how you… PLAY BOLD," seeming to mock RCB's catchphrase. After RCB's victory, their official handle tweeted Kohli's photo shushing the crowd with the caption, "What goes around comes around."
Following the altercation, Kohli had a lengthy conversation with Rahul, who had injured his hip flexor earlier in the match. Kohli also had amicable chats with LSG all-rounder Marcus Stoinis.
Kohli's on-field aggression
Kohli is known for his aggressive captaincy and his unrelenting passion for the game. He wears his heart on his sleeve and is never afraid to express his emotions on the field. Kohli's aggression has inspired his teammates on numerous occasions and has helped India win crucial matches.
However, Kohli's aggression has also got him into trouble. He has been involved in heated exchanges with opposition players and umpires. His fiery temper has led to several disciplinary issues, and he has been fined on several occasions.
Kohli's off-field persona
Kohli is equally passionate about his personal life, and he has been known to get into verbal spats with journalists and critics. He is often at the forefront of social media controversies, and his comments have landed him in hot water on several occasions.
Kohli's brash demeanor has not gone down well with some of his peers. Former England opening batsman Nick Compton has criticized Kohli's excessive use of language and has called for him to mellow down.
Kohli's responses to criticism
Kohli has been subject to a lot of criticism, especially when his form has dipped. However, he has always responded to criticism with grit and determination. He has never shied away from taking on his detractors and has used criticism as a motivation to better himself.
Former Australian speedster Brett Lee has called Kohli a "legend" and has said that he can't be kept down for too long.
Kohli's relationship with other players
Kohli has had a few run-ins with some of his teammates in the past. His spat with Gautam Gambhir during an IPL match in 2023 made headlines. However, Kohli has always maintained that he is a team player and has the best interests of the team at heart.
Former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir has also spoken highly of Kohli's competitive spirit and has said that he likes players who are competitive.
Conclusion
Virat Kohli's aggressive temperament has been both a boon and a bane for him. While his passion and aggression have inspired his teammates and helped India win crucial matches, his temper has also landed him in trouble on several occasions.
Kohli's on-field aggression has been well-documented, and his off-field persona has also come under scrutiny. However, Kohli has always responded to criticism with determination and has used it as a motivation to better himself.
Overall, Kohli's competitive spirit and passion for the game have made him one of the best cricketers in the world today. As long as he can keep his temper in check, he will continue to inspire a generation of cricketers.
