"That's when Gautam Gambhir intervened..." - Amit Mishra reveals unheard details of infamous IPL clash, pins blame on Virat Kohli
Published - 16 Jul 2024, 03:24 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 01:15 AM
![Amit Mishra, Virat Kohli, Naveen-ul-haq](https://static.cricketaddictor.com/images/2024/AmitMishraNaveenulhaqViratKohli.webp?q=80)
Veteran spinner Amit Mishra has revealed what really happened during the match between Lucknow Super Giants and Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2023 that eventually led to the infamous altercation between Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir.
The former India teammates were involved in a furious exchange after the game and other players had to intervene to stop the situation from getting out of control. It all began during the game when an animated Virat Kohli decided to get under the skin of the LSG players with his animated antics. Towards the end of the game, he was also involved in a heated exchange with LSG pacer Naveen-ul-Haq.
After the game ended, Kohli and Naveen had an exchange again when the players were shaking hands with each other. Soon Gautam Gambhir intervened and had a furious altercation with Kohli before being pulled away by other players.
Amit Mishra on the infamous altercation between Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli:
Amit Mishra witnessed the entire drama from close quarters. The veteran spinner was at the non-striker's end when Kohli was having a go at Naveen. Recalling the incident, Amit Mishra stated that it all began during the game between the two sides earlier in the competition when Gambhir celebrated LSG's last-ball win in an aggressive fashion.
"It all started in Bengaluru where we (LSG) won the game and Gambhir expressed his aggression. The public was going mad so Gautam gestured them to keep quiet. Probably Virat Kohli didn't like that. We thought the matter ended with the game but not for Kohli," Mishra said on Shubhankar Mishra podcast.
Speaking further, Mishra said that Kohli started abusing the LSG players during the match in Lucknow. The former India spinner said that the star batter was abusing even those players who were not even involved in the incident. Mishra even talked to Kohli and asked him to let go but the latter did not.
"He started abusing our players (in the LSG vs RCB rematch in Lucknow). He didn't have any grudges with Kyle Myers but he abused him as well. Naveen-ul-Haq was bowling, he would abuse him too. Bohot cheezein avoid ho sakti thi but Virat Kohli ne nahi ki (a lot of things would have been avoided but Kohli chose not to).
"When I was batting with Naveen, I asked Kohli, 'Who are you even talking to He's just a youngster and not even close to your stature. Whatever happened has happened.' He answered back, saying, "You make him understand that, not me," said Mishra.
Mishra stated that the problem began after the game when Kohli continued abusing the LSG players and Gambhir decided to intervene. Kohli and Naveen have buried the hatchet after the infamous incident but Mishra said that the Afghanistan pacer is unlikely to ever respect the batting star.
"But the problem began after the game. He (Kohli) started abusing him again during the customary handshakes. That's when Gambhir intervened, questing why are you starting it again when the game has ended and you guys have won. I moved Gambhir away but Naveen later came to the dressing and said that Kohli started abusing again," said Mishra.
"For social media, it all seemed to be over between them. But do you think Naveen will respect Kohli ever again? What about the youngsters who saw the incident where a big star was abusing others," Mishra added.
Tagged:
Amit Mishra Naveen-ul-Haq Virat Kohli Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) Gautam Gambhir